Tycoon Mukesh's fraud case deferred to October

COURT

City businessman, Shukla Babubhai Mukesh fraud case has been adjourned to 14 October by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court in Kampala.

Mukesh, 56, also the executive director of Shumuk Aluminium Industries Limited is battling with 13 counts of forgery, uttering false documents and conspiracy to commit a felony.

All the offences contravene the Penal Code Act.

The adjournment followed a request from the state prosecutor, Miriam Njuki, who told court that they needed a handwriting expert to verify the documents that the witness had brought to court.

"Your honor, we seek for an adjournment to certify the document the witness has brought in court, we also need a handwriting expert to evidently verify the same," Njuki said.

However, the defence counsel David Bwambale objected to the prosecution request and informed court that the prosecution case had been adjourned four times for them to prepare their witness but in vain.

"Your worship, my client is now frustrated, this is the fourth deferment to this case yet we were promised that witnesses would be heard today.

The prosecution said that investigations were done one year ago, but how come they are not ready up to date, they are just buying time, but we pray that the case proceeds now and today," Bwambale told court.

Prior to the defense submissions, the Grade One Magistrate Marion Mangeni found it necessary to give prosecution time hence adjourned the case.

"In the interest of justice, I find it essential to give the prosecution time to certify and get a handwriting expert to study the document in particular.

I, therefore, adjourn this case to October 14 for prosecution to proceed with their case and make sure the said document is certified and clarified by the handwriting expert.

The accused bail is hereby extended till then," Mangeni ruled.

The charge

Prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large on or around April 17, 2015 in Kampala district, with intent to defraud or deceive forged a letter for official hand over of Hotel Diplomate in Muyenga, a Kampala suburb.

The letter is purportedly believed to have been signed by the deceased Consular of Pakistan Islamic Republic in Uganda Bonny Katatumba, whereas not.

It is further contended that the accused forged signatures of Anne Grace Katatumba, Angella Katatumba, Rugirwa Katatumba, Ian Katatumba and ASP George William Karyegira.

Prosecution also asserts that Mukesh and others still at large in November 6, 2017, in Makindye Chief Magistrate's Court in Kampala, uttered six false documents as purported official handover letters of Hotel Diplomate.

The accused, in April, 2015, in Kampala business Centre, is alleged to have conspired to commit forgery and uttered false documents for official handover of Hotel Diplomate