JATU boss still in custody after 369 days
What you need to know:
- As of today, January 2, 2024, Gasaya has endured one year and four days in pre-trial detention while the prosecution struggles to wrap up the investigation.
Dar es Salaam. Peter Gasaya, the 33-year-old chief executive officer of JATU PLC, remains behind bars after 369 days as the investigation into the Sh5.1 billion economic sabotage case against him drags on.
Gasaya faces two charges: embezzling Sh5.1 billion from JATU Saccos through fraud and laundering the same hefty sum.
Prosecutors allege the JATU boss swindled the money under the false promise of investing it in profitable crop farming ventures. His alleged deception spanned January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, in Dar es Salaam.
As of today, January 2, 2024, Gasaya has endured one year and four days in pre-trial detention while the prosecution struggles to wrap up the investigation.
His journey began on December 29, 2022, when he was first brought before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court charged with economic sabotage. Since then, the case has been routinely mentioned every 14 days, but progress remains elusive.
Today, State Attorney Erick Kamala informed Principal Resident Magistrate Romuli Mbuya that the investigation is still underway.
Explaining the delay during a mention hearing, Kamala requested another adjournment due to the presiding magistrate, Richard Kabate, being unavailable.
Magistrate Mbuya granted the request, postponing the next mention to January 15, 2024. Gasaya will remain in custody until then, as the money laundering charge carries a mandatory remand, denying him bail.
Separately, the court is yet to rule on Gasaya's December 18, 2023, request for access to the investigation's progress to inform his legal strategy. Magistrate Kabate will make the final decision.
