A Ugandan court freed two shipping firm directors accused of stealing $3.8 million from MTN. Judge Gidudu said Geoffrey Bihamaiso and Oscar Baitwa had no proven role in the fraud despite money going into their account. Legal experts feel shocked because the same judge found all the facts of the crime true, but let the main people walk free. They point to a past case where this judge made the opposite choice with similar proof. This ruling might scare away outside companies looking to work in Uganda.
The case ran nine years after fake bills led to huge payments between 2009 and 2012. Four other people were first charged, made deals, or died before the final trial ended. Many lawyers ask how directors who controlled the bank account could claim no part in the theft of such large cash amounts. They want the case taken to higher courts for review. MTN lost both money and trust through this long legal fight. The strange decision makes people wonder if some hidden force changed the outcome at the last minute.
The case ran nine years after fake bills led to huge payments between 2009 and 2012. Four other people were first charged, made deals, or died before the final trial ended. Many lawyers ask how directors who controlled the bank account could claim no part in the theft of such large cash amounts. They want the case taken to higher courts for review. MTN lost both money and trust through this long legal fight. The strange decision makes people wonder if some hidden force changed the outcome at the last minute.
