Odoki demands Winnie evidence
Jan 06, 2006
Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki has issued an ultimatum to Forum for Democratic Change leaders Winnie Byanyima and Jack Sabiti to substantiate their allegations that the Government bribed judicial officers to frustrate Kizza Besigye’s case.
By Charles Etukuri
Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki has issued an ultimatum to Forum for Democratic Change leaders Winnie Byanyima and Jack Sabiti to substantiate their allegations that the Government bribed judicial officers to frustrate Kizza Besigye’s case.
Odoki said if they failed to respond, he would let the law take its course.
Launching the Always be Tolerant (ABETO) peace flag at his offices at the High Court premises yesterday, Odoki said he received a complaint from Sabiti and Byanyima on December 24, about allegations of bribery and unethical conduct against deputy Chief Justice Mukasa Kikonyogo and Justice Remmy Kasule of the High Court over the Besigye case. He said the judges denied the allegations.
“These allegations are very serious and deserve thorough investigation. I have requested the complainants to substantiate their allegations by providing me with concrete evidence to establish the truth. It is now over a week but I have not received any response from the complainants.
“This is unfortunate (since) the allegations have tarnished the names and reputation of the two judges and undermined public confidence in the independence, impartiality and integrity of the two judges and the judiciary.
“I urge the complainants to produce the evidence without further delay, otherwise I shall be forced to close my investigation an let the law take its course.
Odoki said he had full confidence in the two judges and unless otherwise, they would continue to perform their duties.
“They must be presumed innocent until proven otherwise by their accusers,†he said.
Odoki said he was aware that the Police had opened investigations into the allegations and appealed to all to assist them. “I shall take appropriate action on the allegation depending on the results of the investigation,†he said.
On December 24, Sabiti, who is FDC treasurer and Byanyima, the wife of the FDC leader Besigye, wrote a letter saying sh100m had been paid to Kasule and sh200m to Kikonyogo.
Kikonyogo leads the panel hearing the petitions filed in the Constitutional Court by Besigye, while her co-accused Kasule heard Besigye’s bail application.
Odoki commended the judges for the exemplary manner they handled cases before them during this period of political transition despite interference and harassment.
Odoki also commended ABETO chief Moses Musana for launching the flag, saying ABETO honoured the role of the judiciary in the peaceful resolution of conflict.
Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki has issued an ultimatum to Forum for Democratic Change leaders Winnie Byanyima and Jack Sabiti to substantiate their allegations that the Government bribed judicial officers to frustrate Kizza Besigye’s case.
Odoki said if they failed to respond, he would let the law take its course.
Launching the Always be Tolerant (ABETO) peace flag at his offices at the High Court premises yesterday, Odoki said he received a complaint from Sabiti and Byanyima on December 24, about allegations of bribery and unethical conduct against deputy Chief Justice Mukasa Kikonyogo and Justice Remmy Kasule of the High Court over the Besigye case. He said the judges denied the allegations.
“These allegations are very serious and deserve thorough investigation. I have requested the complainants to substantiate their allegations by providing me with concrete evidence to establish the truth. It is now over a week but I have not received any response from the complainants.
“This is unfortunate (since) the allegations have tarnished the names and reputation of the two judges and undermined public confidence in the independence, impartiality and integrity of the two judges and the judiciary.
“I urge the complainants to produce the evidence without further delay, otherwise I shall be forced to close my investigation an let the law take its course.
Odoki said he had full confidence in the two judges and unless otherwise, they would continue to perform their duties.
“They must be presumed innocent until proven otherwise by their accusers,†he said.
Odoki said he was aware that the Police had opened investigations into the allegations and appealed to all to assist them. “I shall take appropriate action on the allegation depending on the results of the investigation,†he said.
On December 24, Sabiti, who is FDC treasurer and Byanyima, the wife of the FDC leader Besigye, wrote a letter saying sh100m had been paid to Kasule and sh200m to Kikonyogo.
Kikonyogo leads the panel hearing the petitions filed in the Constitutional Court by Besigye, while her co-accused Kasule heard Besigye’s bail application.
Odoki commended the judges for the exemplary manner they handled cases before them during this period of political transition despite interference and harassment.
Odoki also commended ABETO chief Moses Musana for launching the flag, saying ABETO honoured the role of the judiciary in the peaceful resolution of conflict.