| EACJ Adjourns Hearing of Terror Case Appeal |
| Arusha, 25 April 2012: The Appellate Division of the EACJ today adjourned hearing of Application No 1 of 2012 that pits Omar Awadhi and 6 Others against The Attorney General of Uganda pending determination of whether an Appeal by the latter was filed in time.The Court found that neither party in the matter had provided the requisite certificate of delay from the EACJ Registrar as stipulated under Rule 86 (1) of EACJ Rules of Procedure which provides that “an appeal shall be instituted by lodging in the appropriate registry, within 30 days”.
Court therefore ordered the Registrar to provide it and the two parties the certificate of delay within 15 days in order to enable it determine whether the Appeal was filed within the time prescribed by the rules. The Appeal, filed by the Ugandan government, is challenging the decision of the First Instance Division on the grounds of time over the arrest and handing over of Kenyan citizens by the Kenyan government to that of Uganda on suspicion of involvement in terror activities. The Kenyan citizens in question are alleged to have played a part in the planning and execution of the bomb attacks in Kampala in July 2010 and were transferred to Uganda without recourse to established extradition procedures and due process of law as stipulated by the Kenyan Constitution. The hearing of the Appeal now rests upon the Appellate Division’s decision in this matter. About the EACJ The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or the Court), is the judicial arm of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Operationalized in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty. Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The High Courts of the Partner States serve as sub-registries. For more information please contact: Dr. John Ruhangisa, Registrar Ms. Geraldine Umugwaneza, Deputy Registrar Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department; East African Court of Justice |
