Pre-hearing EAC Secretary General's case against Zziwa set

The Appellate Division of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) has set February 24, 2016 on which to hold a pre-hearing session of an appeal in which the Secretary General of the East African Community seeks to block Margaret Nantongo Zziwa from adducing evidence by members of EALA.

Last January, the East African Court of Justice - First Instance Division - granted Zziwa permission to adduce evidence by members of the East African Assembly, who, the Assembly had earlier blocked from giving evidence supporting her case challenging as illegal and unlawful impeachment.

"Take notice that this matter has been fixed for scheduling conference on Wednesday February 24, 2016 at 9.30 am before Justices Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (president), Liboire Nkurunziza (vice president), Edward Rutakangwa, Aaron Ringera and Geoffrey Kiryabwire in Arusha, Tanzania," the court paper urging the parties to appear without fail, a copy of which The New Vision saw, reads.     

The Secretary General of the East African Community is appealing against the ruling of the EA Court of First Instance, arguing that the members of the Assembly were not authorized to give evidence in Zziwa's case.

Nantongo Zziwa was removed with 36 votes in favour of her removal as speaker against two and one abstention. She was accused of undermining the authority, poor governance and deliberate breach of EALA rules.