Prosecution amends charges in case on Tegeta Escrow Account

The prosecution has amended charges  in the corruption case facing the director of legal services at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Rugonzibwa Theophil Mujunangoma.

Prosecutor Leonard Swai from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) told the Kisuti Resident Magistrate’s Court that on February 5, 2014, the accused corruptly obtained an advance of 323,400,000/- from James Rugemalira through his account number 00120102602001 at Mkombozi Bank.

Swai claimed that the accused obtained the money as a reward for handling IPTL affairs as a provisional liquidator.

He further alleged that the accused did not declare the said reward to his immediate superior, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary and the Ethics Commission as soon as he had received the said reward.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and is out on bail until February 24, this year when the case will come up for preliminary hearing.

Mujunangoma appeared in court for the first time on January 14 along with Theophillo Bwakea, a principal engineer, with the Rural Energy Agency accused of corruptly receiving over 400m/- from the Tegeta Escrow Account.

Meanwhile, a total of  13 Ethiopian nationals appeared before the same court yesterday charged with illegal presence in Tanzania.

The prosecution led by the prosecutor, Kagoma Method, from the Immigration department named the accused as: Melkadamu Molore, Andrew Dang, Tefera Mishamo, Redwan Hussein, Anamo Yohanes, Mohamad Samawi and Tegetel Ragiso.

Others were Tegotoe Torafa, Eligudo Butiro, Baharadina Abule, Desta Chafamu,Marcus Dawye and Tashala Matiko.

Method claimed that they committed the offence contrary to section 31(1) (i) and (2) of the Immigration Act Cap 54 Revised Edition 2002.

Before Senior Resident Magistrate Emilius Mchauru it was alleged that on February 16, this year, at Kongowe area in Temeke District the accused were found without valid passes.

They all pleaded guilty to the charge and were remanded in custody until February 24 when the prosecution will read facts of the case.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN