Court grants Godfrey Nyakana sh30m bail

Nov 10, 2011

MAKINDYE Magistrates’ court has granted a sh30m noncash bail to the Kampala division chairman Godfrey Nyakana over electricity theft.

By Jeff Lule

MAKINDYE Magistrates’ court has granted a sh30m noncash bail to the Kampala division chairman Godfrey Nyakana over electricity theft. Umeme dragged Nyakana to court over theft of electricity for his business premises located in Munyonyo.

Godfrey Nyakana's Lake Victoria Resort Hotel and Suites in Munyonyo on Nov 10,2011.PHOTO: MARK OWOR

In the suit filed at Makindye Magistrate’s Court, Nyakana and others still at large used, tampered with, and consumed electrical energy without permission from Umeme between October 2010 and October 2011 at Lake Victoria Hotel and Suites Munyonyo.

Godfrey Nyakana's empty meter box were he allegedly held the illagel connection at his Lake Victoria Resort Hotel and Suites in Munyonyo on Oct 14, 2011.

They are also accused of willfully diverting energy supply lines that pass within his vicinity to his, and interfering with electrical installations to the same venue.

Appearing before the Magistrate, Nyakana denied all the charges read to him.

The public prosecutor for Umeme, Patrick Odong asked court to give him more two weeks to complete his investigations before the hearing starts.

Godfrey Nyakana's Lake Victoria Resort Hotel and Suites in Munyonyo still under constructions on Nov 10, 2011.PHOTO: MARK OWOR.

Odong also asked court to remand Nyakana, given the nature of the case, to avoid non-interference in the investigations.

But Nyakana’s lawyer, Moses Kabega said it was wrong to remand his client when there is no single evidence to pin him about the case.

But the Magistrate said Nyakana was not yet guilty of the charges against him and had a right to get bail.

Nabakooza said since investigations were not yet complete, he is entitled to bail.

Nyakana was bonded sh10m (not cash) and his two sureties Ben Sekweyama and Haruna Bukenya also the same amount each.