Court orders Police to arrest Nyakana over assault

By Angela Nalumansi

Buganda Road Court has directed Kampala Metropolitan police commander Andrew Felix Kaweesa to arrest Godfrey Nyakana and produce him to court for allegedly defying traffic laws and assaulting a police officer.

The court order follows Nyakana’s failure to appear in court for the last three months to answer charges against him.

“Am aware the accused is the mayor of Kampala central division and has an office, this means police knows his office, Grade One Magistrate, Araali Muhirwa observed.

“He has been on warrant of arrest for three months. I therefore order the Kampala metropolitan Police commander to effect the arrest warrant. I want the accused to be arrested and be brought to court immediately.”

State prosecutor David Lukwago alleged that the accused has deliberately declined to appear in court for trial.

According to police records, in May this year,  Nyakana allegedly disregarded traffic rules while driving from the city centre to Kibuye.

Prosecution argued that when Isaac Kambale, a traffic police officer, confronted him, “he remained adamant, prompting the officer to pluck off the car number plate, registration UAP 684K.”

The former boxer allegedly jumped out of his car and assaulted the traffic officer before driving away.

But Nyakana recently expressed surprise at the new development, saying the traffic and assault offences had been settled out of court.

“I knew about that case, which we settled,” he told New Vision on phone.

He also faces charges of assault and robbery by court’s warrant of his arrest issued last month.

According to prosecution, during the election of Lord Mayor, Nyakana beat a journalist who had been assigned to cover the exercise.

It further alleged that the accused also robbed Arinaitwe George Fidel of his camera.

Magistrate Araali has extended the warrant of arrest up to 18th October 2012 when he will appear in court for plea taking.