Thursday, March 31, 2016

Poll petition: Court rejects Mrema’s evidence

DAILY NEWS Reporter
Former Vunjo Member of Parliament Augustino Mrema of Tanzania Labour Party.
THE High Court in Moshi has rejected evidence submitted by former Vunjo Member of Parliament Augustino Mrema of Tanzania Labour Party who seeks to unseat current lawmaker James Mbatia.

Mrema, who is represented by lawyer January Nkobogo, presented two exhibits to be used as evidence in this case which were two sample ballot papers one with a tick indicating elect Mbatia.
State Attorney Mark Mulwambo, assisted by Ellen Rwijage and Liliani Machage, said the evidence presented by the prosecution does not have the credibility and does not meet the criteria that are part of evidence.
He said that the prosecution failed to bring the original sample papers and instead submitted a copy which was not mentioned in the first witness (Mrema) oath. “These documents have no legal credibility and the witness did not explain in his oath that he will bring the original paper.
Instead, he has brought a photocopy of illustrations and did not disclose where he got the original one,” Mulwambo said.
Lawyers defending James Mbatia, Mohamed Tibanyendera, assisted by Faygrace Sadala and Younsaviour Msuya, supported the argument made by the State Attorney. He noted that apart from these limitations, also the witness could not confirm how he got these papers.
Tibanyendra went on to say that also the illustrations provided by the witness do not have the seal of a lawyer as in the original petition, saying that could amount fabrication of evidence.
Judge Lugano Mwandambo said after listening to all the sides that the court has decided not to receive the papers as evidence in the court.

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