Gadaffi, Red Pepper case witnesses hidden
Apr 29, 2009
THE State yesterday refused to disclose how many witnesses it intends to bring to testify against two Red Pepper editors in connection with stories insinuating that the Libyan leader, Col. Muamar Gadaffi, has a love affair with Toro Queen Mother Best Kemi
By Charles Ariko
THE State yesterday refused to disclose how many witnesses it intends to bring to testify against two Red Pepper editors in connection with stories insinuating that the Libyan leader, Col. Muamar Gadaffi, has a love affair with Toro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa.
The editors, Francis Mutazindwa and Richard Tusiime, are facing charges of defaming Gadaffi.
“We object to disclosure of witnesses. This is a sensitive matter that affects relations between the states. As for the exhibits, we are going to rely on the newspapers they published,†Nsenga told the Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate.
Max Mutabingwa, the lawyer representing the two editors, had earlier asked the court that the State discloses its witnesses.
Mutabingwa argued that the complainants, Gadaffi and Kemigisa, had not made any appearance in court since the case started four months ago.
“Nobody here knows what is in the minds of the complainants. The ambassador who has been appearing here is a joker. The complainants might come here and say they are in love,†Mutabingwa told the court.
Nsenga said the prosecution had almost completed its investigations and asked the court to fix a date for hearing the case.
Prosecution alleges that Tusiime and Mutazindwa published a story titled, “Gadaffi, Toro Queen in loveâ€, on February 5.
The accused, the prosecution added, committed similar offences on different dates when they published stories titled, “Toro Queen Sex Secrets Revealed, “Gadaffi Asks Toro Queen for a Baby Boyâ€, “Gadaffi, Toro Queen First Kiss, “Gadaffi, Museveni Clash Over Toro Queen†and “Gadaffi Buys Toro Queen a Planeâ€.
Prosecution argues that the stories were untruthful and degrading and that they exposed the Libyan leader to contempt.
Mutazindwa and Tusiime face up to two years imprisonment if found guilty with no option for a fine.
THE State yesterday refused to disclose how many witnesses it intends to bring to testify against two Red Pepper editors in connection with stories insinuating that the Libyan leader, Col. Muamar Gadaffi, has a love affair with Toro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa.
The editors, Francis Mutazindwa and Richard Tusiime, are facing charges of defaming Gadaffi.
“We object to disclosure of witnesses. This is a sensitive matter that affects relations between the states. As for the exhibits, we are going to rely on the newspapers they published,†Nsenga told the Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate.
Max Mutabingwa, the lawyer representing the two editors, had earlier asked the court that the State discloses its witnesses.
Mutabingwa argued that the complainants, Gadaffi and Kemigisa, had not made any appearance in court since the case started four months ago.
“Nobody here knows what is in the minds of the complainants. The ambassador who has been appearing here is a joker. The complainants might come here and say they are in love,†Mutabingwa told the court.
Nsenga said the prosecution had almost completed its investigations and asked the court to fix a date for hearing the case.
Prosecution alleges that Tusiime and Mutazindwa published a story titled, “Gadaffi, Toro Queen in loveâ€, on February 5.
The accused, the prosecution added, committed similar offences on different dates when they published stories titled, “Toro Queen Sex Secrets Revealed, “Gadaffi Asks Toro Queen for a Baby Boyâ€, “Gadaffi, Toro Queen First Kiss, “Gadaffi, Museveni Clash Over Toro Queen†and “Gadaffi Buys Toro Queen a Planeâ€.
Prosecution argues that the stories were untruthful and degrading and that they exposed the Libyan leader to contempt.
Mutazindwa and Tusiime face up to two years imprisonment if found guilty with no option for a fine.