Court orders Mbowe to submit evidence that he is abroad for treatment
Chairman of the opposition Chadema, Mr Freeman Mbowe. Photo|File
What you need to know:
- Mr Mbowe failed to appear before the resident magistrate.His representatives tell the court that he is abroad receiving treatment.
- Court orders him or his representatives to submit documents or risk being arrested for jumping bail
Dar es Salaam. The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s court has directed the chairman of the opposition Chadema, Mr Freeman Mbowe, or his representatives to present evidence that he is outside the country for treatment after he failed to show-up at the court.
The decision was made by kisutu Resident Magistrate Wilbard Mashauri after the prosecution side, which was led by state attorney Faraja Nchimbi, requested the court to order the arrest of Mr Mbowe for jumping bail.
Nchimbi argued that the accused should be arrested because it was the third day that Mbowe, who is the first accused in seditious case, has jumped bail.
“This isn’t the first time that the first accused person has failed to appear before the court, which is contrary to his bail conditions,” he said.
However, Mr Mbowe’s lawyer Peter Kibatala told the court that he had been informed by his client’s representative,Mr Grayson Celestine, that he was outside the country for treatment.
Mr Mbowe and 8 other Chadema leaders are facing charges of holding an unlawful demonstration.
During the demos National Institute of Transport (NIT) student Akwiline Akwilini, 22, was killed by a stray bullet as law enforcers were dispersing Chadema supporters in February.
