Five suspects accused of conning a Canadian businessman over US$ 200,000 in a gold scam at Makerere University chemistry laboratory made bail on Tuesday before the City Hall Grade One Magistrate, Beatrice Khainza.
The suspects include; Stellah Kalungi Dindi, David Kironde, Ronald Kamugisha, Nasser Kibirige and Yazidi Kabonge. Khainza. They were released on bail after presenting substantial sureties. Each of the suspects executed a non cash bond Shillings 30million while their sureties executed a non cash bond of Shillings 50million each.
The bail application ruling followed an application filed by the suspects through their lawyer, Simon Peter Musangala of Musangala Advocates and Solicitors on January 19th, 2018. In his application Musangala, argued that his clients were entitled to bail because they have a fixed placed of abode, substantial sureties and that they wouldn't abscond when granted bail.
However, the state objected to the bail application, saying the suspects face several other cases including money laundering, criminal trespass, conspiracy to commit felony and that once released, they might abscond and make it difficult for police to arraign them in other courts.
After hearing the submission of the state and the accused's lawyer, Khainza adjourned court for 30 minutes to study the submission before delivering her ruling. When court resumed, Khainza granted the accused bail.
"Premised on a presumption of innocence, I hereby grant bail to the accused persons bail. In the case of Sudhir, the state should not base on allegations," said the magistrate. She directed the suspects to deposit their passports with court. She adjourned court to February 9th, 2018.
