Human Rights Lawyer Opiyo Charged, Remanded newvision.co.ug - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newvision.co.ug Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Opiyo could not enter a plea because the court lacked jurisdiction to handle the case. He has been remanded in a prison about 50km (31 miles) from Kampala.
In a statement, the Chapter Four Uganda board said: “It is our firm belief that these are frivolous and fabricated charges and [it’s] further demonstration of closing civic space in Uganda. His lawyers are ready to defend him in court.”
Chapter Four added: “We’re monitoring his situation in detention closely to ensure he is safe.”
The 37-year-old was arrested in a restaurant in the capital, Kampala, on Tuesday by plainclothes security and financial intelligence officers. He was detained with three other lawyers – Herbert Dakasi, Anthony Odur and Esomu Obure – and Hamid Tenywa, a human rights officer of Bobi Wine’s opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP).
Daily Monitor
Thursday December 24 2020
This photo taken on December 24, 2020 shows human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo holding a novel as he awaits being remanded back to police custody until December 28, 2020. PHOTO/ STEPHEN OTAGE
Summary
The fate of the other four suspects, who included lawyers Herbert Dakasi, Esomu Obure, Anthony Odur and Human Rights officer, Hamid Tenywa however, remained unknown by the time of filing this story.
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Human Rights lawyer, Mr Nicholas Opiyo who was arrested on Tuesday and detained at Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Kireka has been remanded after he was on Thursday charged with money laundering.
Mr Opiyo on Thursday appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court where the case was read to him.
Opiyo remanded to Kitalya Prison – 93 3 KFM kfm.co.ug - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kfm.co.ug Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Daily Monitor
Thursday December 24 2020
Summary
The arrest of Mr Opiyo and four of his colleagues Herbert Dakasi, Anthony Odur, Esomu Obure and NUP s Human Rights Officer Hamid Tenywa aroused criticism both in Uganda and abroad.
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Activists have asked the US to impose targeted sanctions on senior leaders of the Ugandan police force, following the arrest of human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo.
Police on Tuesday arrested Mr Opiyo, a human rights lawyer and Executive Director of Chapter Four Uganda. Mr Opiyo was at a restaurant with four other lawyers when he was reportedly blindfolded and bundled in a car by plainclothes officers.