Tanzania delays Jamil Mukulu extradition

By Vision Correspondent

A Tanzania court has deferred its ruling on the extradition of the leader of Congo-based Ugandan Islamist rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Jamil Mukulu.

The court has instead asked the Uganda government to submit additional information in support of the extradition application to satisfy that the respondent on his return to Uganda will only face murder charges.

Principal Resident Magistrate, Cyprian Mkeha of the Kisutu Resident Magistrates’ Court in Dar es Salaam said Friday that after going through submissions from both parties, he discovered that there was uncertainty on what Mukulu was being sought for.

“Section 7 (1) of the London Scheme within the Commonwealth countries provides that if the court considers the material provided in support of a request for extradition is insufficient, the competent authority in the requested country may seek such additional information as it considers necessary from the requesting country, to be provided within such reasonable period of time as it may specify,” said Magistrate Mkeha.

He said that after carefully scrutinizing the documents that were filed along with the application, he established that Mukulu was being sought for 16 charges, but only 8 related to murder.

“The applicant informed the court that the respondent will face a trial on only murder charges, but the charge sheet stated otherwise for it contained other offences of aggravated robbery, crimes against humanity, murder and attempted murder that Mukulu had also been involved in,” he pointed out.  

The Magistrate told the court that the aim was to ensure that the respondent was guaranteed a fair trial as the Extradition Act required and not otherwise.

“It is to my knowledge that the Magistrate can inquire for additional information if there was any form of uncertainty before issuing a ruling,” he explained.

He granted a seven days’ adjournment for the material to be furnished so that he can deliver his ruling.

The prosecution led by Principal State Attorney, Edwin Kakolaki agreed to file the documents before June 19, this year when the case will again come up in court.


Also related to the story

Confirmed: ADF chief Jamil Mukulu arrested

Uganda seeks extradition of Jamil Mukulu

Govt wants Mukulu's accomplices extradited