ZANZIBAR: Court dismiss Uamsho case

Written by ISSA YUSSUF.

THE District Magistrate Court at Mwanakwerekwe yesterday dismissed a case facing seven Muslim leaders from UAMSHO Islamic group, after the prosecutors (DPP office) failed to provide evidence for more than four months.

“Under section 209, No 7/2004 of the Criminal Procedure Act, I dismiss this case for failure to complete investigations on time and provide evidence in court,” Magistrate Ame Msaraka Pinja ruled after the defence lawyers complained several times of the delays to provide evidence against their clients.

However, the accused: Msellem Ally Msellem, Farid Hadi Ahmed, Mussa Juma Issa, Azzan Khalid Hamad, Suleiman Juma Suleiman, Khamis Ali Suleiman, and Hassan Bakar Suleiman, all from Uamsho could not walk freely out of the court because they are facing similar charges at the High Court of Zanzibar.

At the district court, the leaders were accused of making provoking statements in public and causing chaos at Magogoni area in the municipality. The offence is contrary to section 45 (1) (a) & (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act, according to the prosecution.

Before the High Court, the Muslim leaders have been charged with sabotage and soliciting, inciting and persuading persons to commit offence and unlawful destruction of public and private property worth 500m/- and conspiracy to Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmad’s disappearance on October 16, this year.

The Defence lawyers led by Advocate Salum Taufiq are now battling to have the case in High court also dismissed, arguing that their clients have over stayed in remand contrary to the laws.

The case comes-up next Wednesday when the High Court is expected to give a ruling of bail applications. The Muslim leaders led by the vocal Sheikh Farid Hadi were arrested after several days of unrest in Zanzibar sparked by the disappearance of Farid who claimed was abducted by people, who identified themselves as police officers on October 16, last year, but police denied the accusation.

Source: Daily News (03/04/2013): http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/16077-court-dismiss-uamsho-case