Witness in Lakara case missing
THE State is stuck with four of the several criminal cases against former Army chief of staff Brig. Nakibus Lakara (right) due to the failure to find the witnesses.
By Maurice Okore and Solomon Muyita
THE State is stuck with four of the several criminal cases against former Army chief of staff Brig. Nakibus Lakara (right) due to the failure to find the witnesses.
“We are unable to estimate when the investigations will be complete because the witnesses involved are out of our jurisdiction,†State Prosecutor Christopher Madrama from Katende and Sempebwa and Company Advocates said, before applying for adjournment of the matter.
Matrama requested the Military General Court Martial chaired by Lt. Gen Elly Tumwine for another month to give a new position on the case.
However, defence lawyer Caleb Alaka said it was absurd that the State was uncertain of when the matter would take off.
“The state does not seem to be in control of the case. At a later date, we shall apply for the dismissal of these cases,†he said.
Lakara is accused of disobeying the Commander-in-Chief, creating ghost soldiers, neglecting his duty, abuse of office and causing a financial loss of over sh450m.
General Tumwine adjourned the matter up to May 20.
Lakara allegedly transferred certain undisclosed militants between June 2002 and June 2003 against the will of his superior, President Yoweri Museveni.
He allegedly failed to manage and ascertain the strength of the UPDF between November 2001 and June 2003.
Ends
THE State is stuck with four of the several criminal cases against former Army chief of staff Brig. Nakibus Lakara (right) due to the failure to find the witnesses.
“We are unable to estimate when the investigations will be complete because the witnesses involved are out of our jurisdiction,†State Prosecutor Christopher Madrama from Katende and Sempebwa and Company Advocates said, before applying for adjournment of the matter.
Matrama requested the Military General Court Martial chaired by Lt. Gen Elly Tumwine for another month to give a new position on the case.
However, defence lawyer Caleb Alaka said it was absurd that the State was uncertain of when the matter would take off.
“The state does not seem to be in control of the case. At a later date, we shall apply for the dismissal of these cases,†he said.
Lakara is accused of disobeying the Commander-in-Chief, creating ghost soldiers, neglecting his duty, abuse of office and causing a financial loss of over sh450m.
General Tumwine adjourned the matter up to May 20.
Lakara allegedly transferred certain undisclosed militants between June 2002 and June 2003 against the will of his superior, President Yoweri Museveni.
He allegedly failed to manage and ascertain the strength of the UPDF between November 2001 and June 2003.
Ends