Accused charged with sedition over govt-Acacia negotiations out on bail

What you need to know:

  • The accused allegedly published seditious content on negotiations between the government of Tanzania and representatives of Acacia. However, the accused pleaded not guilty is out on bail until November 14.

Dar es Salaam. Investigation of a case facing a Chato resident in Geita Region, Mr Obadia Kiko, who is charged at the Kisutu Resident Magistrates’ Court with publishing seditious content on social media is not yet finished.

The accused allegedly published seditious content on negotiations between the government of Tanzania and representatives of Acacia. However, the accused pleaded not guilty is out on bail until November 14.

The accused is alleged to have committed the offence on August 3 in Chato District by publishing the seditious content on his Facebook account.

According to the charge sheet, the post reads “Information from Tanzania-Acacia negotiations, our lawyers are failing to interpret some of the legal technicalities to the extent of seeking assistance from Acacia…a thief is providing legal aid”.

“Discussions are still taking place, but our lawyers are in hard time for the Acacia lawyers have got all documents concerning the signed contracts; we need to pray hard because if the government breaches the contract we will pay a big sum of money”.

“Moreover, partisanship will cost us a lot; it would have been better if President Magufuli involved credible advocates such as Tundu Lissu, Peter Kibatala and Fatma Karume in important issues like this one…” reads further his post.

According to State attorney Adolf Mkini, the post aimed at misleading members of the public on negotiations between the government and Acacia mining company.