The office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has withdrawn charges against, the suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Siraje Bakaleke and other suspects as it continues to trace Korean witness who doubles as the complainants in this matter.
In August 2018, charges of extortion and obtaining money by false pretense and kidnap with intent to confine charges were instituted and other nine charges against Bakaleke and eight other suspects at anti-corruption court Kololo. Bakaleke’s co-accused appeared before court and pleaded not guilty to the offences except him who decline to appear even after court a warrant arrest against him.
In October, Anti-Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate, Moses Nabende, issued a warrant of arrest for the troubled and suspended Kampala South Metropolitan police commander ACP Siraje Bakaleke. It was served through his lawyers of Senguka Robert and Nakachwa partners.
According to Senior Assistant DPP, Jane Okuo Kajuga, the hearing of the case has since failed to kick off due to absence of Korean witness. They are reported to have left the country and location of their where about has always been in vain.
“It is for the foregoing issue that the DPP has exercised his powers to withdraw charges. DPP continue to work with police and other partners to locate witness and secure their testimony without which charges cannot stand,” said Jane Okuo Kajuga, adding that charges will be reinstated once contact with the witnesses is established.
Korean nationals involved in the case were from a company known as McKinley Resource Company limited, dealing in minerals. They were arrested by ACP Bakaleke and accused of being terrorists and held in police custody and escorted to airport to board back.
Their funds worth US$425,000 were fraudulently withdrawn from their account. They also paid 30,000 USD to one of the accused to process their release from police cells. Therefore prosecution contends that the nine suspects conspired to forcefully steal money from the witnesses and force them back to Korea in a bid to facilitate and cover-up their criminal activities.
Bakaleke’s co-accused include; Lawyer Paul Wanyoto Mugoya, Nabeta Samuel Mulowooza, the Managing Director of Eye Power Engineering Company and police officers; Robert Munezero, Innocent Nuwagaba, Robert Ray Asiimwe, Junior Amanya, Babu Gastavas and Kenneth Zirintuusa.
