On Wednesday, Nandutu was charged with dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act,2009 before being committed to the High Court for trial.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, has been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala, following her arrest over the diversion of iron sheets meant for relief items for the people of the restive Karamoja sub-region.
Charged with dealing with suspect property, Nandutu appeared before Anti-Corruption Court grade one magistrate Esther Asiimwe.
After an indictment was read, Nandutu was committed to the High Court for trial.
Remanded to Luzira Prison until May 3, 2023
The state attorney, David J Bisamunyu, informed the court that inquiries into the case were complete and that the suspect should be committed to the High Court for trial.
“Your worship, I have instructions from the DPP to have the accused committed to High Court for trial. Present with me are committal papers,” Bisamunyu said.
As a result, Magistrate Asiimwe said she could not hear Nandutu’s bail application and remanded her to Luzira Prison until May 3, 2023, when she is expected to appear before the High Court for mention of her case.
Minister’s lawyer expresses dissatisfaction
However, Nandutu’s lawyer, Charles Nandah, expressed dissatisfaction with the proceedings in court, claiming that the state’s actions were unfair and deliberate. According to Nandah, the state wanted to fail Nandutu’s efforts to apply for bail.
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He added that the state had made this decision despite knowing Nandutu’s health condition.
“This was unfair and was deliberate by the state to fail the applicant’s efforts to apply for bail. The state has done this while in the know of the health condition of the applicant,” he said.
Nandutu, who is also the Bududa Woman MP, can only apply for bail in the High Court if she wishes to do so.
After reading out Nandutu’s indictment to court, Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe committed her for trial, saying, “The accused is hereby committed for trial in the next court session.” The state prosecutor also confirmed that he was ready to disclose all the evidence to be used to pin the Minister in the trial.
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