Lissu denies ‘seditious words’ charge, wins bail

FAUSTINE KAPAMA

Mr Tundu Lissu

TENSION was high yesterday at Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam when Singida East Constituency’s Member of Parliament (MP), Tundu Lissu, was arraigned for the second time to answer a charge of uttering seditious words.

This time around, the MP on opposition CHADEMA ticket, who was defended by a team of 11 advocates, is alleged to have issued some words with intention to excite disaffection to the citizens of Tanzania against the lawful authority of United Republic of Tanzania.

He denied the charge before Principal Resident Magistrate Dr Yohana Yongolo and was granted bail on conditions of securing two reliable sureties who each signed a bond of 2m/- of the like sum. Lissu, on his part, was restrained to leave the country unless he gets court’s permission.

The case was adjourned to August 2, for preliminary hearing as investigations into the case, according to the prosecution, led by Principal State Attorney Bernard Kongola and Senior State Attorneys Nassoro Katuga and Salum Mohamed, have been completed.

Lissu’s arraignment comes just two days after his first appearance before the same court to face similar charges relating to publishing seditious material in a newspaper.

In the first case, the legislator is charged alongside two other accused persons. His second appearance before the court was witnessed by several party supporters and members, legislators, including the leader of the opposition camp in Parliament, who is also Hai constituency lawmaker, Freeman Mbowe.

There were also a dozen of police detectives and other law enforcers around the court’s compound, notably, members of the Field Force Unit (FFU), who were patrolling the area to ensure security.

As was expected, immediately after the session, Lissu once again opened his mouth to address members. Accompanied by Mr Mbowe, the MP convened another gathering at the court compounds and boasts that they would not shut their mouths against what he described as dictatorship and called on the party members to maintain their solidarity.

He claimed that his second arraignment had the meaning that the person who he had described as dictator would have to show up before the court to give evidence that he is not a dictator. Mr Mbowe also added his voice by expressing his concern on some attempts to suppress democracy in the country.

As the two leaders were going with the session, some people believed to be Chadema supporters displayed some placards carrying different messages, including one which linked the police force of being used by the dictator.

The day was about to be spoiled after the police officers around decided to intervene and faced strong resistance from party members. But they managed to arrest two of them and whisked into a nearby packed police van and were taken to the Central Police Station for further questioning.

According to the new charges, Lissu is alleged to have committed the offence on June 28, this year, at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Ilala District in the city, when he uttered the claimed seditious words.