Bantariza case: State given an hour to produce witness

By Pascal Kwesiga                                      

A lawyer representing Col. Shaban Bantariza, the former director of the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi has asked the state to close its case against his client after failing to produce witnesses.

Capt. Nasser Drago Tuesday asked the General Court Martial in Makindye, a Kampala suburb, to prevail on the State to close its case after the State prosecutor, Capt. Gerald Bamwitirebye said there were no witnesses in the court’s premises.
Bamwitirebye said some of the witnesses were unable to come to court.

The Military Court chaired by Brig. Moses Ssentongo, last month directed the State to produce in court all the five remaining witnesses against Bantariza today (Tuesday).

Seven witnesses have so far testified against Bantariza who is facing charges relating to fraud, ill treatment of subordinates and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. He is alleged to have committed the offences before 2011 when he was suspended from the institute.

The court has directed the State to produce some of the witnesses Tuesday  afternoon before a decision is taken. State prosecutors have been stepping out of court to make calls to the witnesses, asking them to turn up in the afternoon.

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