Kampala, Uganda: A dramatic standoff reportedly unfolded at Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after former Duck Hunters Security Services Limited Managing Director Mohammed Ali allegedly remained inside court premises for several hours to avoid arrest by operatives from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID).
According to a report by Trumpet News, the incident followed court proceedings in which the State sought the cancellation of Ali’s bail, arguing that he had obtained his release using allegedly forged medical and marriage documents.
Ali is facing charges related to an alleged fake gold supply scheme involving Dubai-based investors.
The report states that Ali appeared before Chief Magistrate Robert Magara for mention of the case, but proceedings shifted to fresh allegations that he had used forged documents to secure bail.
Investigators reportedly told court that Ali was under investigation for allegedly forging a medical report purportedly issued by Kibuli Hospital and a marriage certificate allegedly issued by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).
During the proceedings, Ali’s lawyer, Norman Pande, reportedly requested court to remove Janet Mbabazi as one of his client’s sureties.
“One of our sureties, Mbabazi, wants to travel and in her absence it will almost be impossible for her to continue serving as a surety,” Pande reportedly submitted.
However, State Attorney Christine Opia opposed the application and instead sought cancellation of Ali’s bail.
According to the local media outlet, Opia argued that Mbabazi had been presented as Ali’s legally married wife when bail was granted, yet subsequent investigations allegedly established that the marriage certificate relied upon was forged.
“Mbabazi alleges to be the legally married wife to Mohammed whereas not. Once investigations were carried out, the two documents, the medical report and marriage certificate, were subjected to investigations, and the truth has since indicated that both documents used for bail were forged,” Opia reportedly told court.
The prosecution further alleged that Ali had falsely claimed to be diabetic through a medical report purportedly from Kibuli Hospital to support his bail application.
“The truth, Your Worship, is that the accused person has never suffered from diabetes and actually gave false information to court in the interest of defeating justice. There was also no marriage and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council wrote back indicating that the marriage between Mohammed and Mbabazi was a forgery,” Opia reportedly submitted.
Court was also told that investigations conducted jointly by SHACU and CID had produced findings contained in an affidavit sworn by investigator Sadik Diwale.
The prosecution reportedly argued that the attempt to withdraw Mbabazi as a surety raised concerns that the accused could be planning to flee the country.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Chief Magistrate Magara adjourned briefly before delivering his ruling.
According to the report, the magistrate declined to cancel Ali’s bail and instead granted him seven days to replace the surety.
“I have noted that the accused has consistently been attending court from the time he was charged by this court. It would therefore be very unfair for his bail to be cancelled when there are remaining sureties available on court record. Consequently, this court shall consider the request of the lawyer of the accused to give him time to replace a surety. The accused is given seven days to replace Mbabazi,” Magara reportedly ruled.
It is further reported that following the ruling, SHACU and CID operatives prepared to arrest Ali on fresh alleged fraud and forgery-related charges.
However, the publication alleges that Ali remained within protected court premises and allegedly hid inside court offices and judicial chambers, frustrating attempts to arrest him.
Citing unnamed sources, the report claims the standoff lasted several hours, with security operatives maintaining positions outside the court building late into the night.
The allegations add a new dimension to the ongoing gold fraud case in which Ali is accused of defrauding Dubai-based investors through alleged fake gold transactions while serving as a manager at Duck Hunters Security Services Limited.
At the time of publication, DailyExpress had not independently verified the claims of forgery investigations, the attempted arrest, or the circumstances surrounding Ali’s movements within the court premises. The allegations are based on court submissions and remain under investigation.
Source: Trumpet News (trumpetnews.co.ug)
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