Frank Gashumba fraud probe complete

(File photo)

CRIME | INVESTIGATION

KAMPALA - Investigations into the fraud allegations against social critic Frank Gashumba are complete, according to Buganda Road Court resident state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya.

Appearing in court on Monday, Muwaganya requested court for one month to prepare his case, before the hearing kicks off.

However, defence lawyers led by Denis Nyombi protested it, saying that it could infringe on the rights of the accused, who are entitled to a speedy and fair hearing.

This prompted chief magistrate James Eremyee Mawanda to adjourn the case to February 26 for hearing.

Gashumba, 43, is battling 16 counts relating to fraud, forgery and narcotic drugs alongside his brother Innocent Kasumba and Ismail Kiyingi.

The trio were arrested in November last year following a whistleblowers report to the permanent secretary of Ministry of  Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) about a group under the cover of a company named Flagship group that was planning to fleece an investor disguising as ministry officials.

Prosecution alleges that on September 12, at Tulip Golden Hotel in Kampala, the trio with intent to defraud two Dutch nationals, Kolgvan Dirutop and Manu Meerscghman, falsely represented themselves to be Dr John Mwine, the MODVA director of procurement whereas not.

They are also accused of conspiring to obtain money by false pretence from the duo, pretending to offer contracts to them to supply trucks, troop carrier, heavy machines and water tanks, among others, to the defense ministry whereas not.

The State also alleges that on September 30, Gashumba and Kasumba had in possession of substances suspected to be Marijuana.

Gashumba and his brother are also accused of forging MODVA identification cards, stamps for South Sudan's finance, health, education, transport, agriculture and justice ministries.

They are further accused of uttering false document to outwit Maj. Gen Francis Okello, the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff in order to defraud Dirutop and Meerscghman.