By Mariam Namakula
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo has this afternoon granted bail to the state minister for Karamoja Agnes Nandutu.
Appearing before the Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga on Thursday, Nandutu was granted a cash bail of Shs10Million and each of her securities a non-cash bond of Shs50Million.
Other bail terms included; depositing two land titles registered in her name to the court, and her passport meaning she cannot travel outside without the court’s permission.
“The fact that there was difficulty in arresting the applicant begs the question of whether or not she knew that she was needed by the police in respect to the current charges. The evidence of her surrendering to the law was uncontroverted regardless of the fact that there was difficulty of the police in tracing her,” Justice Okuo read before granting the bail.
The Directorate of Private prosecution (DPP) had argued that the applicant for bail had snubbed several police summons and that mandated that she be denied bail.
” In absence of formal proof that the applicant was formally summoned and refused to appear or that she was officially arrested and released on bail that she failed to comply coupled with the fact that the minister handed herself over to the police, l finds this factor diminish the likelihood of flight,” Justice Okuo submitted.
Earlier on last month, Minister Nandutu was charged of mismanaging relief items meant for the vulnerable and has since been on remand at the women’s prison in Luzira for almost a month. She is now expected to appear at the high court on 25 May.
