US calls for immediate release of lawyer Opiyo

CRIME | US | POLICE | COURT

The Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State's Bureau of African Affairs, Tibor Nagy has called for the immediate release of lawyer Nicholas Opiyo.

Opiyo was arrested on Tuesday (December 22, 2020) and remanded on Thursday (December 24, 2020) at Kitalya Government prison on charges of money laundering and failing to declare tax returns.

In a tweet, Nagy warned that there would be consequences for those who are continuing to undermine democracy just three weeks before Uganda's election.

"The United States calls for the immediate release of respected Ugandan human rights attorney Opiyo. 

There will be consequences for those who are continuing to undermine democracy just three weeks before Uganda's election," Nagy warned.

Nagy's tweet was in response to an earlier tweet by the US ambassador to  Uganda, Natalie Brown who noted that she was disappointed to learn that the only decision taken today in relation to the charges against Opiyo  was to remand him as the file was taken to another court.

Government Spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo replying the US ambassador asked her to, "Calm down all will be fine."

Nagy's tweet immediately drew backlash from several Ugandan who questioned the US intervention in Uganda's internal politics.

Michael Wadada notified Secretary Nagy that, "Your disappointment is understandable but with un-compelling reasons and as such continue exhibiting an exaggerated sense of superiority complex in that regard. Our law for which Counsel Opiyo is a custodian will take its course accordingly."

Javira Muhangi notified Nagy that, "Uganda is an independent country and it has good laws, I don't know why US government is much more concerned about how things are done in Uganda. First settle your issues before you settle for others".

Moses Kyeyune, reminded Nagy not to interfere with the court process, "what was wrong with the procedure and what is unprecedented about that, somebody needs to discipline these double standards countries."

Opiyo was arrested on Tuesday in Kamwokya alongside four others and charged at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Thursday with money laundering and neglect to submit annual returns to the NGO bureau and remanded till December 28 2020.

The charge sheet prepared by the Uganda Police Force and signed by Elly Womanya the Director Special Investigation Directorate indicated that, "Opio on October 8 2020, at ABSA Bank Garden City branch in Kampala district acquired $340,000 through ABSA Account Number 60040780445 in the names of Chapter Four Uganda, knowing at the time that said funds were proceeds of crime."

The case can only be tried at the High prompting the magistrate to remand him.

The other four suspects, who included lawyers Herbert Dakasi, Esomu Obure, Anthony Odur and human rights officer, Hamid Tenywa were released on bond.

On Wednesday Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga noted that had deepened their investigations into Monday laundering charges preferred against Opiyo who is also the Chapter Four Executive Director after they conducted a search at his office and residence.

According to the Ugandan law, a suspect once charged in the courts of law can only be released on bail or when the state loses interest in the matter.

Opiyo's lawyers now have to apply to the High Court for bail before he is released.