Lawyers want Weasel and Radio arrested over defamation

Jul 13, 2016

Kiwanuka accuses the duo for defaming him in a video posted on their Facebook pages on June 3.

The lawyers representing music promoter Jeff Kiwanuka have asked court to issue an arrest warrant against Moses Sekibogo alias Radio, and Douglas Mayanja alias Weasel to compel them to appear in court to answer charges of defamation.

Charles Nsubuga and Iga Roscoe wants Sekibogo and Mayanja arrested for defying court summons. The duo were expected to appear in court to take plea on defamation charges but absconded court.

"The accused were served with criminal summons that were issued by court but we are not aware whether they deliberately decided to abscond court and travel for their businesses which was more urgent than appearing in court," Nsubuga said.

About a fortnight ago, the Makindye chief Magistrate Richard Mafabi ordered Radio and Weasel to appear in court on July 12 but all in vain.

When tasked to explain why the duo failed to appear in court by the defence team, lawyer John Bosco Mudde told court presided over by Principal Magistrate Grade One, Juliet Nakitende that they went to Kenya for a coke studio competition.

Kiwanuka is the proprietor of Kabalagala based club DEJAVU and also a manager to singer Sheebah Kalungi.

 eff iwanuka Jeff Kiwanuka

 
Kiwanuka accuses the duo for defaming him in a video posted on their Facebook pages on June 3. Kiwanuka contends that the video creates the impression that he is a ritual murderer who was either associated with or is the culprit in the Joel Ogema case.

It is alleged that on June 23, the accused uploaded a Luganda video on their Facebook page attacking him with unpleasant remarks and that the footage has been viewed by millions of Facebook users and is still accessible.

Recently, Kiwanuka was arrested after a suspected murderer, Herbert Were, a student of Lumino High School in Busia District, named him as an accomplice in the murder of six-year-old boy, Joel Ogema.

It was alleged that Were beheaded his young brother last month at Lusasira Village in Busia and was later arrested from a friend's place at Kajjansi in Wakiso. He allegedly made the confession after arrest.

According to Kiwanuka's lawyer, by the time the duo published the offensive video, they had full knowledge that Kiwanuka was not associated with criminal acts of murder or beheading and had no evidence to support their claims.

He further claims that the publication of Goodlyfe video was made well knowing that the contents were false, with intent to injure Kiwanuka's name, reputation and business.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) through State Prosecutor Immaculate Angutolo has requested court to allow the directorate to take over the case.

"We pray court to allow the State to exercise its mandate to take over and continue any criminal proceedings regarding the allegations," she requested.

This was welcomed by Kiwanuka's lawyers who later on requested for expeditious trial, saying that it is a matter of strict liability.

"If DPP takes over the matter, we do not need un necessary investigations. Hearing should be required," Nsubuga requested.

The court will on Friday deliver its ruling on whether to issue warrant of arrest and allow state to take over the case.

 

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