Court dismisses petition filed against Minister Obiga Kania

Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The High Court in Arua has thrown out a petition filed against State Minister for Lands Obiga Mario Kania.

Apama Amato Boroa petitioned the court seeking to nullify Obiga Kania’s victory on grounds that four of his documents used for the nomination had different names of Obiga Kania, Obiga Mario Kania, Obiga Morris Kania and Obiga M. Kania, which he argues belonged to different persons.

Last week, Kania asked court to dismiss the petition on grounds that it lacked credibility because the petitioner’s lawyer did not renew his practicing certificate at the time of commissioning the affidavits.

In his ruling, Justice Boniface Wamala agreed with Kania and Electoral Commission lawyers and struck off the petition with costs.

Justice Wamala also declined to correct the election petition saying it would imply bringing in a new petition. He also asked Boroa to take legal and disciplinary action against his lawyer for not having a valid practicing certificate.

But Boroa’s lawyer, Jimmy Madira described the ruling as denial of justice to the people saying the Judge had an option of saving the petition.

Kania said that the case lacked merit right from the time it was filed.

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