State opposes Adea's bail

By Edward Anyoli     

The relatives of interdicted Commissioner in Charge of Micro Finance accused of trafficking girls from Oyam district allegedly for sexual exploitation, are threatening witnesses, court has heard.

Senior Principal state attorney Joan Kagezi , during  the  hearing  of  a bail  application on  Monday, told court that Maxwell Adea’s relatives have been threatening witnesses them not to appear in court to testify.

Adea last week at the start of his trial attacked Kagezi and accused Justice Elizabeth Nahamya of being biased.

“My  lord  we  have  very  strong  evidence that the accused   has been   making  threats  through his  relatives to prosecution witnesses; our  fear is that  if granted  bail  he will jeopardise  the prosecution’s case,” Kagezi said.

Kagezi told Justice Moses Mukiibi of War Crime Court  that the worst case scenario is if Adea is granted bail he is likely to abscond his trial.

Kagezi said the two sureties presented by Adea were not substantial enough to compel him attend his trial.  

Stella Ogomarch, a student of Kyambogo University  whom Adea said is his wife was out rightly rejected by Justice Mukiibi on grounds that she would not fulfill the bail term in case the accused abscond his trial.

Through his lawyer Annet Kanyabo, Adea said he is diabetic, hypertensive and of advanced aged and that he requires special medical attention.

“My lord the applicant has shown that he cannot be treated from Luzira prison and deserves to be granted bail to enable him get sufficient treatment,” Kanyabo said.

Adea  in his  bail  application filed  last  week  before War Crime Court said he  has  cooperated  with  the Police  throughout  the   investigation process and would  not abscond  his trial  if granted  bail.

Kanyabo argued that Adea has a permanent place of abode where he can be traced and is willing to abide by the bail terms court may impose.

It is alleged that on January, 2014 Adea by means of deception transported, transferred and haboured girls (name withheld) at Kawempe division in Kampala for sexual exploitation.

Adea first  appeared  before Nabweru  Court   Grade  One  Magistrate  Hope  Bagyenda  in March this year and  was remanded  to  Luzira  until recently  when  he was committed  to War Crime Division  to face trial.

War Crime Court has the jurisdiction (mandate) to try cases of human trafficking.

Dr Adea, 50, is charged with aggravated human trafficking. If convicted he is liable to death.

Dr. Adea was arrested in March and detained at the Police’s Special Investigations Unit in Kireka on charges human trafficking.

He is  accused  of  luring  young girls with view  of  providing  for  their education  in  Kampala  but  police accused him of  sexually exploiting  the  girls.

Prosecution alleges that in the month of January 2014 at Ngai Sub County in Oyam District, by means of deception, Dr. Adea recruited, transported a 17-year old(name withheld)  to Kazo, in Kawempe in Wakiso District for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

It is alleged that Dr. Adea lured the victim by promising to pay her school fees. Court was adjourned to September17.