Report on judges implicated in Tegeta Escrow account scandal to take longer than expected

  We will release as soon as we have it - Chief Justice

Chief Justice, Mohammed Othman Chande

Investigations into the alleged involvement of two judges in the Tegeta Escrow account scandal have started but release of report findings may not be any time soon,  Chief Justice Mohammed Othman Chande has said.

Speaking at the General Meeting and Annual Conference of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) Chande said release of the report may take longer than expected.

 

“But we will issue the report as soon as the investigation team releases the findings,” he said noting that “…we are aware that the public is eager to see the report.”

 

 “We won’t rush on to release the findings. Rules and procedures must be followed. The report will be released for public consumption…it is the right of the public to know what happened,” the CJ said.He however disclosed that investigations of such nature particularly whereby judges are involved takes time, “That’s why I am uncertain to say exactly when the report will be ready|”.

 

Citing examples, Chande said investigations launched some years back against Kenya’s deputy Chief Justice, Nancy Baraza took about six months to be released.

 

According to Chande, in 2012, Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki appointed then Tanzania’s Chief Justice, Augustino Ramadhan to lead the panel of Judges who took part in the investigations.

 

In his another example, the CJ said the Commission on Constitutional Matters which was under retired Judge Mark Bomani took almost one year to be completed.

 

Justices Aloysius Mujuluzi and Prof Eudes Ruhangiza were accused of taking part in the Tegeta Escrow scam, and the National Assembly advised the appointing authority to take disciplinary actions against the Judges.

 

It was alleged that Justice Mujuluzi received 40.4m/- while Prof John Luhangisa is alleged to have been given 400.25m/- from the controversial account.

 

The Judges who are being investigated are alleged to have received the monies from James Rugemalira, a Private International Consultant and director of VIP Engineering and Marketing and former director of Independent Power Tanzania Ltd (IPTL). 

 

The energy scandal that drew attention in the country saw the Energy and Minerals Minister Sospeter Muhongo finally stepping down.

Before Muhongo’s resignation three high ranking government officials also quit their positions over the scandal.

 

Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) and Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) jointly owned the account following a tussle over capacity charges between the two in local and international courts. 

 

The other officials are Former Attorney General Fredrick Werema who resigned together with  Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development Minister, Prof Anna Tibaijuka who was allegedly received 1.6bn/- while Energy and Minerals Permanent Secretary Eliakim Maswi was suspended since December last year pending investigations on his role in the matter. 

 

As part of implementing National Assembly resolution on the Tegeta Escrow account scam, President Jakaya Kikwete had fired Prof Anna Tibaijuka.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN