Grapevine

Former PS Ssali, MPs urged on plea bargain option

Anti-Corruption Court Judge Jane Kajuga has tipped former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Geraldine Ssali and co-accused to explore the benefits of plea-bargain as a form of alternative case resolution.

Ms Ssali, together with MPs Michael Mawanda (NRM, Igara East); Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu (Elgon County); Paul Akamba (Busiki); lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankoko and Mr Leonard Kavundira, a principal cooperative officer in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, are accused of defrauding government of Shs3.4b which was intended to compensate Buyaka Growers Co-operative Society Ltd for property lost during war.

The sextet appeared on Tuesday before the trial judge to formally take a plea and denied the charges against them.

However, the judge advised them to look into the evidence against them and explore the option of plea-bargaining (voluntarily plead guilty to the charges) in exchange for lighter punishment.

“The Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism of plea-bargain is available. Look at the evidence against you and if you find it sufficient and would like to negotiate; you should not hesitate to approach the State /Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), for this free and quickest way of resolving disputes,” Justice Kajuga told the accused.