Justice Ogoola halts Muhwezi cases
Dec 13, 2007
THE Principal Judge, James Ogoola, has temporarily halted the hearing of the cases involving the former health ministers both at the High Court and the Buganda Road Court.<br>
By Charles Ariko and Edward Anyoli
THE Principal Judge, James Ogoola, has temporarily halted the hearing of the cases involving the former health ministers both at the High Court and the Buganda Road Court.
This follows the IGG’s letter to Ogoola questioning the manner in which High Court judge Opio Aweri had handled a petition filed by Jim Muhwezi, Mike Mukula, Alex Kamugisha and former State House employee Alice Kaboyo.
They are facing charges of misapropriating sh1.6b immunisation funds.
“Following the IGG’s complaint, counsels representing both parties met with me in the chambers to seek the best way forward.
“In light of all the above, both the High Court hearing that was scheduled for December 11 and the Chief Magistrate’s Court hearing scheduled for December 17 are to be stayed for about two weeks, pending comprehensive resolution of the administrative issues involved in this matter,†Ogoola said in a letter dated December 7.
“In the meantime, Aweri will have the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in the IGG’s letter.â€
The IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha, said Aweri, who is presiding over the petition by the ministers, had “violated the principles of natural justiceâ€. She added that some of the issues raised in the petition were before a wrong court.
The ministers petitioned the High Court challenging Mwondha’s mandate to prosecute them before the Buganda Road Court.
Muhwezi and his co-accused also questioned the impartiality of the Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate, Margaret Tibulya, whom they said was related to the IGG.
Sources said Aweri would meet Ogoola when he returns from abroad.
THE Principal Judge, James Ogoola, has temporarily halted the hearing of the cases involving the former health ministers both at the High Court and the Buganda Road Court.
This follows the IGG’s letter to Ogoola questioning the manner in which High Court judge Opio Aweri had handled a petition filed by Jim Muhwezi, Mike Mukula, Alex Kamugisha and former State House employee Alice Kaboyo.
They are facing charges of misapropriating sh1.6b immunisation funds.
“Following the IGG’s complaint, counsels representing both parties met with me in the chambers to seek the best way forward.
“In light of all the above, both the High Court hearing that was scheduled for December 11 and the Chief Magistrate’s Court hearing scheduled for December 17 are to be stayed for about two weeks, pending comprehensive resolution of the administrative issues involved in this matter,†Ogoola said in a letter dated December 7.
“In the meantime, Aweri will have the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in the IGG’s letter.â€
The IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha, said Aweri, who is presiding over the petition by the ministers, had “violated the principles of natural justiceâ€. She added that some of the issues raised in the petition were before a wrong court.
The ministers petitioned the High Court challenging Mwondha’s mandate to prosecute them before the Buganda Road Court.
Muhwezi and his co-accused also questioned the impartiality of the Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate, Margaret Tibulya, whom they said was related to the IGG.
Sources said Aweri would meet Ogoola when he returns from abroad.