Kiggundu Case Gets Last Adjournment

BUGANDA road court chief magistrate Frank Othembi has granted the last adjournment to the Sulaiman Kiggundu case, warning the prosecution to finalise its application, reports Jude Etyang. Kiggundu, the former managing director of the defunct Greenland Bank, appeared in court yesterday. His lawyer, Abdul Katuntu, asked the court to acquit him on charges of running down the bank and causing financial loss. Katuntu told court that Kiggundu’s right to a speedy trial was being abused by the prosecution. Othembi set November 8, to rule on the fate of the case. The trial is awaiting an application by the State Attorney, Simon Byabakama, to ask the high court to allow Othembi to hear the case after two other magistrates heard the case in succession. The trial stalled after former Chief Magistrate Catherine Bamugemereire left for Mexico on a study leave. “This is no longer prosecution but persecution. Since this case came up, there is no step the prosecution has taken. The four or five adjournments brought by the prosecution have all turned out to be of no purpose. “We cannot continue coming for adjournments, our client’s passport is in court and he cannot travel,” Katuntu said. Byabakama is reportedly out of the country on official duty. The prosecutor, Jackie Kyosimire, said she knew nothing about the case. “This should be one of those cases where the state should be condemned in costs,” Katuntu said. Ends