12 treason suspects get bail
Aug 14, 2005
THE High Court has granted bail to 12 treason suspects of the Peoples Redemption Army (PRA), who are currently under detention at Kigo Prison.
By Hillary Nsambu
THE High Court has granted bail to 12 treason suspects of the Peoples Redemption Army (PRA), who are currently under detention at Kigo Prison.
The suspects, who were arrested in Ituri Region of the DR Congo while allegedly plotting to overthrow the Government, include a city advocate, Samuel Okiring.
They were, however, not in court save for their advocate, Moses Ojakol and the Principal State attorney, Robinah Rwakojo, who represented the Attorney General (AG).
The suspects, including Musa Lule, have been on remand since 2003. They requested court to grant them bail, saying they had completed the mandatory period of 360 days without being tried.
Lule, who was reportedly recruited into the rebellion by his father, however, escaped from custody.
The AG said the delay in trying them was due to the constant absence of the chairman of the General Court Martial, Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine (left), who was attending an officers’ military training course at Kimaka in Jinja.
Acting Judge Remmy Kasule ruled on Friday said the provisions of the UPDF Act, under which the suspects were being tried, were against keeping the accused in long custody without trial.
“The Act provides that if an accused is not tried by the Military Court within 21 days, the accused may petition the authority appointed by the President to be released from custody or for disposal of his case,†he said.
Ends
THE High Court has granted bail to 12 treason suspects of the Peoples Redemption Army (PRA), who are currently under detention at Kigo Prison.
The suspects, who were arrested in Ituri Region of the DR Congo while allegedly plotting to overthrow the Government, include a city advocate, Samuel Okiring.
They were, however, not in court save for their advocate, Moses Ojakol and the Principal State attorney, Robinah Rwakojo, who represented the Attorney General (AG).
The suspects, including Musa Lule, have been on remand since 2003. They requested court to grant them bail, saying they had completed the mandatory period of 360 days without being tried.
Lule, who was reportedly recruited into the rebellion by his father, however, escaped from custody.
The AG said the delay in trying them was due to the constant absence of the chairman of the General Court Martial, Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine (left), who was attending an officers’ military training course at Kimaka in Jinja.
Acting Judge Remmy Kasule ruled on Friday said the provisions of the UPDF Act, under which the suspects were being tried, were against keeping the accused in long custody without trial.
“The Act provides that if an accused is not tried by the Military Court within 21 days, the accused may petition the authority appointed by the President to be released from custody or for disposal of his case,†he said.
Ends