Ex rebel leader of Allied Democratic Forces-ADF Jamil Mukulu has Thursday withdrawn his application from the International Crimes Division of High Court without giving any reasons, following his recent outburst against presiding Lady Justice, Susan Okalany.
Anthony Wameli and Geoffrey Turyamusiima who are Mukulu’s lawyers on Thursday afternoon communicated the decision to withdraw the application to court. Mukulu once again appeared in court via video link from Luzira Upper Prison.
Before the application that was filed last month was withdrawn, Mukulu's lawyers and the State Attorney Marion Ben- Bella held a closed door meeting with Justice Okalany in her chambers and immediately announced their decision to withdraw the application shortly after appearing in court.
Marion Ben-Bella the State Attorney who said she was ready to proceed with the application, didn’t object to the withdrawal. Also, Justice Okalany endorsed the withdrawal and directed the Deputy Registrar of the International Crimes Division to fix Mukulu's matter for hearing.
During his appearance last month, Mukulu demanded that Justice Okalany steps down from hearing his bail application because she allegedly had bias towards Muslims.
The convict said he had read in media that Okalany was afraid that Muslims would kill her.
Shortly after the court session today, Mukulu got a chance to interact with his lawyers and family members via video conferencing.
One of his lawyers Wameli said Mukulu tearfully apologized to his mother, Aisha Nakiyemba for whatever wrong he could have committed.
Mukulu was arrested from Tanzania and extradited to Uganda in 2015 on charges of terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery, attempted murder and being a member of a terrorist group, ADF.
