Court acquits Zaake over escape from lawful custody

Acquitted  

ARUA - The grade one court in Arua has acquitted Mityana municipality member of parliament Francis Zaake over the escape from lawful custody.  

Zaake was arrested by police on 13^th August last year on the last day of Arua municipality by-elections campaigns after being beaten and taken to Arua regional referral hospital where prosecution claimed he escaped.

However, in February, Arua chief magistrates' court granted him bail but he was rearrested and taken to Gulu to answer treason charges.

The grade one magistrate Swaleh Asiku ruled in Zaake's favor after considering the way he was arrested, detained and tortured.

His worship Asiku said according to the submissions by the defense lead counsel Medard Segona those that arrested the accused are still at large.

"I agree that every person can arrest a suspect but the process should take place according to the law", He said.

He also said that prosecutors should have ensured that the persons that arrested the accused testify in court.

"In the eyes of this court, the accused was not arrested but was denied the right to personal liberty", He stated.

Francis Zaake's lead counsel Medard Segona applauded the magistrate for ruling in favor of his client.

"The ruling demonstrates that not all is lost in Uganda, there are still some men and women of good will that follow the codes of service", He said.

Mityana municipality MP, Francis Zaake equally appreciated the magistrate for exhibiting independence while handling the case that resulted in the ruling.

"It has been a struggle for me from the time I was arrested and physically tortured which led me to intensive care situation", He said.

 "We are going to pursue a case in order to recover expenses on my treatment because we spent a lot of money on accommodation and transport in Uganda and abroad," he said.