The prosecution has completed investigations in the trial of British citizen, Ahsan Ali Iqbal, alias Ali Patel, charged alongside eight other accused persons with theft and forgery of Tanzanian passports.
Senior State Attorney Tumaini Kweka told Senior Resident Magistrate Sudi Fimbo at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam on Monday, however, that the prosecution would be ready to read the memorandum of facts after one mention date of the case.
“We, therefore, pray for one mention date. Thereafter we will be in a better position to read the memorandum of facts,” the prosecutor requested. The magistrate granted the request and adjourned the trial to November 18.
During presentation of memorandum of facts, the prosecution is required to disclose particulars showing how the accused persons committed the offences charged. Other accused persons in the case include prominent musician Chigwele Che Mundugwao.
The rest are Immigration Department officials Shemweta Kiluwasha, Adam Ally Athumani and Abdallah Abbas Salum, Eng. with Fire and Rescue Department Kenneth Pius, businessmen Ally Jabir Ally, Rajab Momba and Haji Mshamu.
It is alleged that at unknown time and place in the city, all accused persons conspired to commit offences. Between April 16 and May 10, this year, at Kurasini area in Temeke District, the accused persons allegedly stole 26 passports valued at 1.3m/-.
The prosecution alleges that Momba and Athuman were accused of stealing a passport number AB 651926. It is alleged that the Briton, Athumani, Momba, Mshamu and Salum forged the said passport, purportedly showing that it was issued by the Department, while it was false.
Furthermore, it is alleged that on July 1, this year, at Kasumulu border in Kyela District, Mbeya Region, the Briton presented the alleged forged passport number AB 651926 to one official with Immigration Department, CPL Frank Amosi Kilugo.
By FAUSTINE KAPAMA, Tanzania Daily News
