DPP’s appeal takes former TRA boss to high court on Thursday

MAUREEN ODUNGA

THE High Court in Dar es Salaam will on Thursday start hearing the appeal lodged by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) rejecting a ruling issued by the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court to delete the money laundering count of over 12bn/- payments facing the former Commissioner General (CG) of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Harry Kitilya and two others.

The In-charge of the High Court, Judge Mzuna, notified the court that they were availed with the notice of appeal, therefore both parties were summoned to appear to discuss on the date that they would meet.

Defence Attorney, Majura Magafu had submitted that they were in an awkward situation because to that moment two rulings had been withheld due to the notice of appeal. Judge Mzuna informed the defence that because the state attorney responsible was not present and court hours were not over, therefore would be served with proceedings upon the arrival of the prosecution.

Earlier, the matter had appeared at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court before Senior Resident Magistrate, Emilius Mchauru. Principal State Attorney, Shadrack Kimaro told the court that the matter had come for mention and during the previous session both parties had been informed to appear (today) yesterday for necessary directives.

Magistrate Mchauru notified the court that the file of the case had been summoned by the High Court on that matter and they were using the duplicate file to call the case for mention.

He wanted to know whether they should proceed with the same trend calling the case for mention or wait for orders from the High Court. Both the prosecution and defence had agreed to continue with the same trend of calling the case for mention after every two weeks in case of any announcements.

The Magistrate then directed both parties to appear at the office of the In Charge of the High Court to learn of the status of the case.