MP Godi murder trial starts in Jinja
Jun 04, 2009
THE High Court yesterday deferred the decision on the bail application for the Arua Municipality MP, Hussein Akbar Godi, until next Wednesday.
By Esther Mukyala
THE High Court yesterday deferred the decision on the bail application for the Arua Municipality MP, Hussein Akbar Godi, until next Wednesday.
After hearing the bail application, the judge instead sent Godi back to Kirinya Prison on remand.
Godi, who was first remanded in Luzira, was on Monday morning transferred to Kirinya prison after he was committed to the Jinja High Court by Mukono chief magistrate Tom Chemutoi.
When he appeared before the High Court yesterday, Godi, through his lawyer, asked the judge, Justice Vincent Zehurikize, to grant him bail based on the fact that he is a first time offender.
“The accused has never been convicted and this is the first case he is appearing before court on allegation of murder,†said his lawyer, Norris Maranga.
“He has the constitutional right of being granted bail. Remand should not be used as a punishment since he has been in cells since December 12.â€
Maranga said his client is a permanent resident of Bwebajja in Wakiso district and as an MP, he had missed representation in Parliament. He also argued that Godi’s vehicle, driving permit and passport identification card had been confiscated by the Police.
However, state attorney Hamuza Sewankambo objected to the application, saying Godi did not show any reasonable or substantial reason to be released.
He also expressed fear that if bail was granted, Godi would interfere with the investigations.
Godi swore another affidavit before the court, which was filled to capacity, that he would not interfere. He further appealed to the court to expedite the case.
Maranga argued that his client would abide by the conditions set by the court if granted bail, now that he has been committed to the High Court for trial.
“There is no way Godi will interfere with the case since he does not know the witnesses which the state intends to rely on,†Maranga pleaded. “It is irrelevant for my client to keep staying in prison when at the end of the day he would be found not guilty of the alleged murder.â€
Four sureties ready to stand in for Godi were also in court yesterday.
The legislator is accused of killing his wife, Rehema Ceasar. On December 4, 2008, he reportedly shot her twice with his pistol.
Zehurikize tasked the Police to produce Godi’s passport which was said to have been confiscated, for verification.
The judge warned the public and the media against speculation. “I do not want any speculation and unnecessary talk. I do not want the case to be politicised,†he said.
THE High Court yesterday deferred the decision on the bail application for the Arua Municipality MP, Hussein Akbar Godi, until next Wednesday.
After hearing the bail application, the judge instead sent Godi back to Kirinya Prison on remand.
Godi, who was first remanded in Luzira, was on Monday morning transferred to Kirinya prison after he was committed to the Jinja High Court by Mukono chief magistrate Tom Chemutoi.
When he appeared before the High Court yesterday, Godi, through his lawyer, asked the judge, Justice Vincent Zehurikize, to grant him bail based on the fact that he is a first time offender.
“The accused has never been convicted and this is the first case he is appearing before court on allegation of murder,†said his lawyer, Norris Maranga.
“He has the constitutional right of being granted bail. Remand should not be used as a punishment since he has been in cells since December 12.â€
Maranga said his client is a permanent resident of Bwebajja in Wakiso district and as an MP, he had missed representation in Parliament. He also argued that Godi’s vehicle, driving permit and passport identification card had been confiscated by the Police.
However, state attorney Hamuza Sewankambo objected to the application, saying Godi did not show any reasonable or substantial reason to be released.
He also expressed fear that if bail was granted, Godi would interfere with the investigations.
Godi swore another affidavit before the court, which was filled to capacity, that he would not interfere. He further appealed to the court to expedite the case.
Maranga argued that his client would abide by the conditions set by the court if granted bail, now that he has been committed to the High Court for trial.
“There is no way Godi will interfere with the case since he does not know the witnesses which the state intends to rely on,†Maranga pleaded. “It is irrelevant for my client to keep staying in prison when at the end of the day he would be found not guilty of the alleged murder.â€
Four sureties ready to stand in for Godi were also in court yesterday.
The legislator is accused of killing his wife, Rehema Ceasar. On December 4, 2008, he reportedly shot her twice with his pistol.
Zehurikize tasked the Police to produce Godi’s passport which was said to have been confiscated, for verification.
The judge warned the public and the media against speculation. “I do not want any speculation and unnecessary talk. I do not want the case to be politicised,†he said.