Nicholas Opiyo appears before court via video conferencing
Buganda Road Court will give its ruling in lawyer Nicholas Opiyo’s bail application at today, Wednesday at midday.
The case came up for bail hearing through video conference from Kitalya maximum prison.
Counsel David Mpanga who represents Opiyo presented the particulars of the four sureties.
He prayed that court issues an order moving Opiyo’s passport from police and be deposited in court so that if he wishes to travel, court can be notified.
Mpanga said Opiyo is eminently qualified for bail.
Court in session State argued that Opiyo has no proof of a fixed place of abode despite the police having conducted a search at his premises on December 23.
“We also have proof that the LC I Chairman of the area wrote a letter confirming his residence,” Chapter Four Uganda, an NGO Opiyo heads, said in a tweet.
The State vehemently objected to Opiyo’s bail application, saying there is a very high likelihood of the accused re-offending while on bail.
State is also yet to obtain necessary evidence from Chapter Four Uganda offices, said a state prosecutor.
Chapter Four said it is committed to advancing accountability not only in government but also in the civil society sector.
“We will however push back against any repressive laws & practices that seek to curtail freedoms and close civic space. Opiyo now to continue with his important work. We’re however concerned about repressive provisions in the laws that seek to regulate NGO operations in Uganda. That is why in June this year, under the leadership of Opiyo, we filed Constitutional Petition No. 7 to challenge sections of NGO Act, 2016.”
Discussion about this post