DPP Fears Nandutu’s Escape As Minister Mounts Charm Offensive For Release On Bail

The Director of Public Prosecutions has expressed fear of escape by Minister of State for Karamoja Agnes Nandutu if released on bail.

On Wednesday, Nandutu requested a bail hearing through her attorneys, citing her right to do so and the fact that she had strong sureties.

The attorneys, lead by Charles Nandah, said in court that Nandutu is the state minister for Karamoja and the MP for the Bududa district, with a fixed address in Nantabulirirwa village in the Goma division of Mukono municipality.

Three individuals were brought by the attorneys: Gerald Nangoli, a legislator for Elgon North’s seat, Bududa LC5 Chairman Amooti Milton Apollo, and Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi.

harmful charm

Four land titles were provided to the court by Nandutu’s attorneys in an effort to sway the judge. Two of the titles were in the name of Nandala Mafabi, and the other three were in the name of Mafabi’s hotel, Mount Inn Limited.

The attorneys also provided financial records for two accounts held by Nandala Mafabi, one in dollars and the other in uganda shillings.

Nandutu displayed her own government-issued identification, a passport, and a parliamentary ID.

According to Nandah, “The sureties undertake to make sure the applicant shall return to court whenever required to stand trial.”

health report

The minister claimed in court that he has a condition that cannot be treated with Luzira, according to a medical report written by Superintendent of Police, Dr. Julius Muhwezi, a member of the police medical staff.

“The applicant has specific medical needs, such as an orthopedic mattress, which Luzira does not currently provide. Additionally, the applicant needs specialized care that is unavailable in prison.

The attorneys claimed there is no chance of their client evading capture if freed on bail because they client voluntarily reported to the Kibuli police Criminal Investigations Division headquarters.

DPP hesitates

The Director of Public Prosecutions, backed by two chief state attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Davud Bisamunyu, responded to the bail application by warning the court that the minister was likely to flee if released on bail.

Our argument is that she poses a flight risk since she has previously declined or refused to respond to police summonses. According to the evidence, she not only ignored a summons from the police but also left her house after finding out that she was sought, according to Muwaganya.

The top state attorney testified in court that Minister Nandutu turned off all of her known phones after learning of her summons from the police on April 15. However, a search of her two known fixed residences was fruitless because she was nowhere to be found.

She not only fled, but she also left her official vehicle at the CID headquarters in Kibuli, according to Muwaganya. Their last communication was on April 14, the day she was asked to surrender to the police.

The chief state attorney testified in court that even the minister’s chauffeur and bodyguard were clueless about where she was at the period she was being sought after to support his argument that there was a risk that the minister may flee.

The DPP officials rejected the assertions that Nandutu voluntarily went to the police, claiming that the minister only showed up at CID headquarters after the police, through their spokesperson Fred Enanga, made a public declaration that she was sought.

The following day, she turned herself in to the police. Police had already physically inspected both her home and farm, but the guard at her home reported that she hadn’t been back since April 14. Therefore, the applicant’s prior behavior suggests that she is likely to flee if released on bail, according to Muwaganya.

Pierces sureties and medical report

The top state’s attorney also testified in court that only MP Nandala Mafabi is considerable among the three sureties, with the others unable to demonstrate the financial clout necessary in circumstances where one must post a sizeable bond in the event that the accused flees.

The DPP attorneys claimed that the other two sureties had not provided any additional documentation to demonstrate their financial capacity other than their national identification cards and employment identifications.

MPs have the right to emoluments, but that doesn’t mean that all have stable financial situations. A person who is stable financially has no excuse not to show it, even through bank statements or other types of documentation.

The attorneys claimed that the medical report put forth by Nandutu’s attorneys in no way establishes that the person who wrote it is a medical professional, adding that it makes no mention of the author’s credentials.

In any case, the claimed medical report was an internal document inside the police’s directorate of medical services, according to the DPP’s representatives, who also testified in court that there was no proof that it was meant to be utilized in court.

Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya argued in court that the bail application should be denied for all practical purposes.

The hearing of the main case should take precedence over the granting of bail for the reasons stated, according to Muwaganya, in order to uphold the interests of justice in this situation.

In order to rule on the bail motion, the trial judge, Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, postponed the hearing till tomorrow, Thursday.