Lawyer pulls out of Lema incitement case

Arusha. Mr Sheck Mfinanga, who was defending Arusha Urban MP (Chadema) Godbless Lema in a case he is charged of hurling insults at President John Pombe Magufuli last year, has pulled out of the case.

This closely followed another move by Resident Magistrate Patricia Kisinda, who was hearing the case, following an injuction by the State Attorney that she cannot handle the case due to her relations with the MP's wife Neema Lema.

Advocate Mfinanga announced he was pulling out on Monday, October 9, before Senior Resident Magistrate Desdery Kamugisha, claiming he could not access the case file despite repeated requests.

"I cannot continue to defend my client because my requests for proceedings of the case have hit a wall, degrading my role as his advocate", he pointed out.

After his remarks, Mfinanga picked up his files and other documents, told his client he was done and melted away from the court premises.

Mr Lema later told the court he had no objection with his outgoing lawyer, saying he had not been accessed to the files on the proceedings of the case.

“To be honest, Your Lordship, I have already expressed my mistrust of you being my lawyer because of these hurdles. I am now seeking the services of another advocate", he said.

The State Attorney Khalili Nuda said the accused (Mr Lema) has the constitutional rights to be defended, arguing that he should be given ample time to find another advocate.

The accused was ordered to ensure he was represented by another advocate on November 1th during another hearing of the case.

Mr Lema was arrested late last year and arraigned on alleged incitement claims against President Magufuli.

Lema) has been denied bail, the right to give his views and the right to  be taken to court for legal charges.

He was apprehended by the law enforcers while attending the Parliament session in Dodoma.

The incitement remarks were allegedly made by the MP when he addressed a public rally at Baraa grounds in Arusha.

But the MP denied that he used a threatening language against the Head of State.

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