Obua case adjourned
Feb 09, 2005
FORMER FUFA president Denis Obua and his secretary Haruna Mawanda risk arrest if they do not appear in court on February 21.<br>Magistrate John Francis Kaggwa ruled that he has given the two a last chance. He said if they fail to appear, arrest warrants will be issued for them.
By Douglas Mazune and Deborah Opondo
FORMER FUFA president Denis Obua and his secretary Haruna Mawanda risk arrest if they do not appear in court on February 21.
Magistrate John Francis Kaggwa ruled that he has given the two a last chance. He said if they fail to appear, arrest warrants will be issued for them.
Yesterday’s court ruling was after a long argument between the advocates, Patrick Furah and Tedeo Asiimwe representing the ex-FUFA bosses, and Fred Muwema and Herbert Kiggundu Mugerwa, representing soccer pressure group SOS.
Furah and Asiimwe asked court for an unconditional adjournment saying their clients were not in court because they got summons late.
They added that Obua had an engagement in Busia therefore he was not able to appear.
The defence insisted their clients need time to arrange and appear after each of them has been summoned lawfully.
Obua and Mawanda are accused of embezzling over sh116m belonging to FUFA on various dates between 1999 and 2001.
They are also alleged to have caused financial loss to FUFA in the same period when they diverted the money in question to their personal use.
SOS lead lawyer Muwema had demanded for an arrest warrant against the accused.
Last week, government suspended the executive headed by Obua in order to enable investigations into alleged corruption in the soccer body.
National Council of Sports are now temporarily in charge of FUFA.
FORMER FUFA president Denis Obua and his secretary Haruna Mawanda risk arrest if they do not appear in court on February 21.
Magistrate John Francis Kaggwa ruled that he has given the two a last chance. He said if they fail to appear, arrest warrants will be issued for them.
Yesterday’s court ruling was after a long argument between the advocates, Patrick Furah and Tedeo Asiimwe representing the ex-FUFA bosses, and Fred Muwema and Herbert Kiggundu Mugerwa, representing soccer pressure group SOS.
Furah and Asiimwe asked court for an unconditional adjournment saying their clients were not in court because they got summons late.
They added that Obua had an engagement in Busia therefore he was not able to appear.
The defence insisted their clients need time to arrange and appear after each of them has been summoned lawfully.
Obua and Mawanda are accused of embezzling over sh116m belonging to FUFA on various dates between 1999 and 2001.
They are also alleged to have caused financial loss to FUFA in the same period when they diverted the money in question to their personal use.
SOS lead lawyer Muwema had demanded for an arrest warrant against the accused.
Last week, government suspended the executive headed by Obua in order to enable investigations into alleged corruption in the soccer body.
National Council of Sports are now temporarily in charge of FUFA.