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Prof Mahalu, others` trial set to begin
2007-03-21 09:10:03
By Hellen Mwango
Investigations in connection with a criminal case involving Tanzania’s immediate former Ambassador to Italy, Prof Costa Ricky Mahalu, and two other persons have been completed.
The accused, who include finance officer Steward Prosper Migwano and administrative officer Grace Alfred Martin, are charged with conspiracy and causing a loss of Euro 2,065,827.60 to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The announcement was made at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday by a Prevention of Corruption Bureau officer Joseph Molle before Senior Resident Magistrate Sivangilwa Mwangesi.
Molle`s remark came in the wake of a court order that had sought to know the prosecution`s position in respect to the criminal case in question.
`Your Honour, we are pleased to inform your honourable court that we have completed investigations. We ask for a preliminary hearing date,` he said.
The court then set April 23, this year as the date for preliminary hearing. On that day, the court will hear and determine some preliminary matters before the case goes into a full blown hearing.
The accused are jointly charged with conspiracy and stealing an extortionate sum of money, being the property of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The offence is alleged to have been committed in various places in Rome.
In the second count, the accused while being public servants, are alleged to have stolen a voucher purportedly to mislead the government on the exact price of the Tanzania High Commission building in Italy.
It is alleged that the voucher in question had falsified entries purporting to show that the building was bought at Euro 3,098,741.58.
In the third count, the accused with intent to defraud used a falsified contract of sale in October 2002, purporting to show that the seller of the building received Euro 3,098,741.58 as sale proceeds, a fact they knew to be untrue.
In the fourth count, it is claimed that the accused caused a loss of Euro 2,065,827.60 to the government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The accused denied all counts one after the other and were later granted bail, pending hearing and determination of the criminal case in question.
The magistrate adjourned the case until April 23, this year.
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