?> name of the database for WordPress */ ?> Former SA president, Zuma, launches new bid in effort to dismiss Graft Trial prosecutor - TheHeute
Connect with us

News

Former SA president, Zuma, launches new bid in effort to dismiss Graft Trial prosecutor

Published

3 years ago

on

South African ex-president Jacob Zuma was back in court on Monday in a fresh bid to replace the chief prosecutor in his long-running corruption trial over a 1990s arms deal.

High Court judge Piet Koen last year rejected Zuma’s application to have prosecutor Billy Downer dropped from the case.

Zuma had argued that the state attorney was neither independent nor impartial.

Returning to court, Zuma sought permission to appeal the earlier ruling — a request that could delay resumption of the trial if granted.

Advertisement

The case is scheduled to resume on April 11.

Defence lawyer Dali Mpofu said Monday that Zuma was of the “strong view” his case was being “treated differently” from others.

“If we speak of law, let’s speak of the law, let’s not have the Zuma law, let’s not have laws that are uniquely reserved for him,” said Mpofu in a hearing broadcast live on television.

Zuma, who was in court in the southeastern city of Pietermaritzburg on Monday, faces 16 counts of fraud, graft and racketeering related to the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and equipment from five European arms firms.

The accusation arise from a contract that was sealed in 1999, when he was vice president.

Advertisement

Zuma is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which has also been charged with corruption and money laundering.

Both have denied any wrongdoing.

The trial started in May after repeated postponements as Zuma’s legal team battled to have the charges dropped.

ALSO READ  PANDEF hails Buhari over Arase’s appointment as PSC Chairman

Mpofu accused the prosecution of “unnecessarily” delaying the trial.

“Zuma must never be accused of delaying justice when he is only asserting (his rights),” said Mpofu.

Advertisement

Judgement on his request for a new prosecutor will be handed down on February 16.

Zuma, who turns 80 on April 12, was president from 2009 to 2018.

He was forced to step down by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) as graft scandals surrounding his government brewed into a political storm.

Last year he was given a 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court after refusing to give testimony to a panel probing “state capture” — financial sleaze and cronyism that proliferated under his presidency.

He was released on health grounds two months into the term.

Advertisement

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Nine dead, 21 injured in Katsina road crash involving overloaded trailer

Published

8 hours ago

on

January 10, 2025

By

Nine dead and 21 injured in a tragic road crash in Katsina after a trailer carrying cows and humans fell. FRSC urges safer practices.

 

 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that nine people have died, and 21 others have sustained various injuries in a tragic road crash in Dankama, Kaita Local Government Area, Katsina State.

The incident occurred when a trailer carrying both cows and humans on top became separated from its main body and crashed onto a pavement.

Advertisement

According to FRSC’s Sector Commander, Mr. Aliyu Ma’aji, the driver of the trailer was attempting to avoid hitting a woman who had fallen from an overloaded Golf car carrying beans. The woman’s fall had resulted in the car losing control.

In a statement issued by the FRSC’s Public Relations Officer, Shamsudeen Babajo, Mr. Ma’aji explained that the driver’s efforts to prevent the collision caused him to lose control, leading to the trailer’s detachment and subsequent crash.

As a result, nine people tragically lost their lives, while 21 others were injured. The injured victims were rushed to the Primary Healthcare Center in Kaita for initial treatment, with some referred to Katsina General Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.

This incident has raised serious concerns over the practice of carrying passengers and animals in overloaded vehicles.

The FRSC Sector Commander urged both drivers and passengers to avoid such dangerous practices, stressing that overloading and recklessness are major contributing factors to road accidents in the region.

Advertisement
ALSO READ  Lagos Govt. Compensates Victims Of BRT Bus-Train Accident

Mr. Ma’aji further called on passengers to actively report instances of overloading and unsafe driving practices in order to reduce the number of road traffic incidents.

Continue Reading

News

President Tinubu to attend Abu Dhabi sustainability week 2025

Published

8 hours ago

on

January 10, 2025

By

President Tinubu heads to Abu Dhabi for the 2025 Sustainability Week, focusing on energy, transportation, and economic development reforms.

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, January 11, for the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), following an invitation from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Summit, which will be held from January 12 to 18 in Abu Dhabi, is set to bring together global leaders to drive sustainable development and foster socioeconomic progress.

Advertisement

Themed “The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress,” ADSW 2025 will provide a platform for policymakers, business leaders, and civil society representatives to explore transformative pathways toward a sustainable global economy.

The Summit aims to accelerate progress in addressing global challenges and creating a new era of prosperity.

ADSW has been a hallmark of international collaboration for over 15 years, serving as a vital forum for fostering partnerships among governments, industry leaders, and clean energy innovators.

The event has resulted in high-value agreements and impactful alliances that advance sustainability goals globally.

At the event, President Tinubu will highlight his administration’s key reforms, including efforts towards energy sufficiency, transportation infrastructure, public health improvements, and economic development.

Advertisement

He is expected to outline Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable practices and explore potential partnerships with global stakeholders.

In addition to his participation in the Summit, President Tinubu will engage in discussions with the leadership of the UAE to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the emirate.

ALSO READ  Residents vow to impede road construction on Oyo-Ogbomoso route over unpaid N2.8 billion compensation

His delegation will include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, alongside other senior government officials.

President Tinubu will return to Nigeria on Thursday, January 16, following the conclusion of his engagements at ADSW.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Crime

EFCC detains 10 officers over theft and corruption allegations

Published

2 days ago

on

January 9, 2025

By

EFCC launches an internal crackdown with 10 officers detained over theft and corruption allegations, marking a critical test of its accountability.

 

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a dramatic internal crackdown, detaining 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command over serious allegations of theft and corruption.

This bold move, ordered by EFCC Executive Chairman Mr Ola Olukoyede, signals the Commission’s commitment to tackling internal misconduct and ensuring accountability within its ranks.

Advertisement

The officers were apprehended last week and are currently being interrogated regarding the disappearance of several unaccounted-for operational items. The situation has sent shockwaves throughout the EFCC, which has long been regarded as a leading force in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Sources close to the investigation suggest that the case has captured significant public attention, casting a spotlight on the EFCC’s internal operations and raising questions about its ability to police itself.

“Investigators are making good progress,” an insider revealed, adding that anyone found guilty will face stringent internal disciplinary measures.

The unfolding scandal presents a crucial test of the EFCC’s resolve in upholding its own standards of accountability. As an institution tasked with eradicating financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria, the EFCC’s credibility is now on the line as it battles to preserve its reputation while addressing these internal breaches.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of self-regulation and integrity, even for those entrusted with the task of enforcing the law.

Advertisement
ALSO READ  Slain soldiers for burial today, military demands killers’ capture

The public and officials alike are closely watching how the EFCC navigates this controversy, as the Commission continues to scrutinise its operations and ensure that all its officers uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 TheHeute.