Geoffrey Kazinda, the former principal accountant of the Office of the Prime Minister currently serving time in Luzira Prison, has petitioned the Supreme Court with serious allegations regarding the handling of his legal case. In a recent application, Kazinda contends that his legal representation, along with that of the Attorney General (AG), misled the court regarding the withdrawal of his application, raising concerns of procedural errors and miscarriage of justice.
In a sworn statement submitted to the Supreme Court, Kazinda asserts that his lawyer did not accurately represent his interests, leading to the improper withdrawal of his application. He emphasizes that the issues raised in his application are crucial to his pursuit of justice, including the request to strike out the AG’s appeal on grounds of being filed out of time and to nullify criminal convictions post the Constitutional Court’s decision.
Furthermore, Kazinda argues that the Supreme Court should exercise its authority to review its decisions, particularly in light of the alleged misrepresentation by his legal team. He insists that the failure to address these issues promptly could lead to further injustice if the appeal proceeds without proper consideration of his application.
In a letter addressed to the Supreme Court Registrar on July 18, 2024, Kazinda’s legal representatives from Omongole and Company Advocates requested a stay of proceedings in the Constitutional Appeal between AG and Kazinda Geoffrey. They highlighted the significant matters addressed in Kazinda’s application, stressing their potential impact on the entire appeal process and the need for thorough examination to ensure justice is served.
This latest legal maneuver comes after the Supreme Court announced its intention to rule on the AG’s appeal challenging the Constitutional Court’s decision to release Kazinda on July 15, 2024. The Constitutional Court had earlier ruled in August 2020 that the ongoing prosecution of Kazinda amounted to double jeopardy, violating his constitutional rights to a fair trial.
Kazinda, who had been convicted on multiple charges including abuse of office, forgery, embezzlement, illicit enrichment, and causing financial loss, continues to contest the legality and fairness of the proceedings against him. His case underscores ongoing legal battles over procedural fairness and constitutional rights within Uganda’s judicial system.
