Lissu’s lawyers demand statement
What you need to know:
Mr Lissu is charged with uttering seditious words on June 28 at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court contrary to Section 32(1)(b) of the Newspaper Act, Cap 290, Revised Edition 2002.
Dar es Salaam. Defence counsels in the seditious case against Singida East MP Tundu Lissu (Chadema), have asked to be provided with the statement of complainant.
Advocate Peter Kibatala made the request Wednesday at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court when the case came up for hearing.
Earlier, the prosecution led by State Attorney Bernard Kongola informed the court that they were ready to continue with the hearing and they had two witnesses ready to testify.
However, Mr Kibatala asked to be supplied with the statement of complainant first before the hearing could begin.
Responding, Mr Kongola alleged that, the informer, who is the Zonal Crimes Officer, is not among the witnesses in the case, and that was why they failed to supply the statement to the defence.
Furthermore, Mr Kongola said that, according to the law, they are not obliged to give statements of persons who are not witnesses.
Mr Kibatala argued that it was the statement of the informer that led to the institution of the case, so it was important to have it as the accused cannot give his defence without the statement of complainant.
Mr Lissu is charged with uttering seditious words on June 28 at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court contrary to Section 32(1)(b) of the Newspaper Act, Cap 290, Revised Edition 2002.
On the material day, the accused is alleged to have uttered seditious words.
According to prosecution, the seditious words were intended to excite disaffection to the citizens of Tanzania against the lawful authority of the United Republic of Tanzania.
