Police blamed for Mayuge fraud case
THE defence lawyer for the seven Mayuge district officials charged with causing financial loss, theft, abuse of office and embezzlement has said the Police used court as a rubber stamp to detain his clients.
By Abubaker Mukose
THE defence lawyer for the seven Mayuge district officials charged with causing financial loss, theft, abuse of office and embezzlement has said the Police used court as a rubber stamp to detain his clients.
Robert Okalang told Iganga chief magistrate’s court on Friday that the accused persons, who had appeared for mention, were arrested prematurely before investigations were complete.
“Your worship, I pray that this court fixes a hearing date if justice is to be done,†Okalang asked Chief Magistrate David Kidyanga.
However, the resident state attorney, Margaret Nakigudde, said court could not be forced by defence to proceed with hearing without exhausting the inquiry.
“Prosecution can’t commence before inquiries have been completed. Your worship, I am under instructions to apply for an adjournment,†Nakigudde said.
The officials implicated are the chief administrative officer, Dunstan Balaba, district education officer Stephen Kyakwise, chief financial officer James Kisita, Sulaiman Nantyaba, the internal auditor and the works supervisor, Fred Musenero. Others are district speaker Zakia Nzaireki and Moses Waikova, Malongo sub-county councillor.
It is alleged that on separate occasions, the seven took advantage of their offices to defraud Mayuge district of colossal sums of money.
Kidyanga advised the suspects to enter plea for bail at the High court.
He remanded the suspects until June 29 to re-appear for mention.
Ends
THE defence lawyer for the seven Mayuge district officials charged with causing financial loss, theft, abuse of office and embezzlement has said the Police used court as a rubber stamp to detain his clients.
Robert Okalang told Iganga chief magistrate’s court on Friday that the accused persons, who had appeared for mention, were arrested prematurely before investigations were complete.
“Your worship, I pray that this court fixes a hearing date if justice is to be done,†Okalang asked Chief Magistrate David Kidyanga.
However, the resident state attorney, Margaret Nakigudde, said court could not be forced by defence to proceed with hearing without exhausting the inquiry.
“Prosecution can’t commence before inquiries have been completed. Your worship, I am under instructions to apply for an adjournment,†Nakigudde said.
The officials implicated are the chief administrative officer, Dunstan Balaba, district education officer Stephen Kyakwise, chief financial officer James Kisita, Sulaiman Nantyaba, the internal auditor and the works supervisor, Fred Musenero. Others are district speaker Zakia Nzaireki and Moses Waikova, Malongo sub-county councillor.
It is alleged that on separate occasions, the seven took advantage of their offices to defraud Mayuge district of colossal sums of money.
Kidyanga advised the suspects to enter plea for bail at the High court.
He remanded the suspects until June 29 to re-appear for mention.
Ends