Kisutu Resident Magistrates’ Court: Prosecutor says Liyumba used mobile phone to contact PCCB

The prosecution on Thursday told the Kisutu Resident Magistrates' Court that Amatus Liyumba had told Ukonga prison officer in-charge that he refused to hand in his mobile phone to prison authorities because he had issues he needed to clear with the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB).

In the case, Liyumba who has just finished serving three-year jail sentence for abuse of office is charged with being found in possession of an illegal item while in prison. State prosecutor Humphrey Malika alleged that on July 27, 2011 Liyumba who was serving a three year sentence in Ukonga Prison as prisoner number 303/2010 was found with unauthorized item (Nokia mobile phone).

Mr Malika told the court that on that day when Liyumba was in his private cell, a prisoner number MF 891/1999 named Hamidu Henji who was supervising the cells, saw him holding a spectacles casing that had a phone inside and when he was spotted he threw it down but while still talking on the cell phone.

He alleged when Henji saw what Liyumba was doing, he reported the matter to the prison guards on duty with registration number B4948WBR Patrick and B4885 WBR Imani Kyejo who subsequently searched Liyumba."When the prison guards reached his cell they found Liyumba still using his phone and when he realized that he had been caught red-handed, he asked the guards to give him his medication for his high blood pressure," alleged Malika.

Malika continued to testify that after the guards had given him the medication they immediately reported the matter to their superior (prison's officer in- charge)."While in the officer in-charge's office, Liyumba failed to explain why he was in possession of the phone orally but asked to be permitted to explain in writing.

"Liyumba wrote that he had refused to hand in his cell phone because he had some issues to clear with PCCB," explained Malika. In the trial that is to resume on April 13, the prosecution is to bring 10 exhibits and 10 witnesses. At the same time defence Counsel Majura Magafu asked the court for a copy of the prosecution's preliminary hearing and the magistrate agreed.

Fred Mpendazoe v. Milton Mahanga election case

Meanwhile, a journalist with Mwananchi newspaper on Thursday testified in Fred Mpendazoe v. Milton Mahanga election case. Aziza Masoud told the High Court that Dr Mahanga, who is Deputy Minister for Labour and Employment, was found with ballot boxes before the announcement of election results. In the case Fred Mpendazoe (Chadema) is challenging the victory of Mahanga.

Source: Tanzania News Link (02/08/2012)
http://www.tanzanianewslink.com/home/79-home-page-articles/6256-prosecutor-says-liyumba-used-mobile-phone-to-contact-pccb