Not guilty: Court acquits former Simiyu RC Yahaya Nawanda in sodomy case
What you need to know:
- Dr. Nawanda, who held the Simiyu RC position until his dismissal, had been facing charges in a criminal case (No. 1883/2024) for alleged sodomy.
Mwanza. The Mwanza Resident Magistrate’s Court has acquitted Dr. Yahya Nawanda, the former Regional Commissioner (RC) of Simiyu, of charges in a sodomy case that had drawn significant attention.
Dr. Nawanda, who held the Simiyu RC position until his dismissal, had been facing charges in a criminal case (No. 1883/2024) for alleged sodomy.
The case, which garnered public interest, involved claims made by a complainant accusing Dr. Nawanda of committing the offense.
On November 28, 2024, Principal Resident Magistrate Erick Marley delivered the verdict, ruling in favor of Dr. Nawanda after a thorough review of the evidence presented in court.
Magistrate Marley stated that, based on the lack of corroborated evidence and insufficient proof to support the allegations, the court could not convict the former regional commissioner. Consequently, Dr. Nawanda was acquitted of all charges.
The case had been closely watched, not only due to the high-profile nature of the accused but also because of the broader societal and political implications.
Dr. Nawanda's acquittal has now brought the legal proceedings to a close, clearing his name of the accusations.
Dr. Nawanda had maintained his innocence throughout the trial, insisting that the charges against him were false. After the ruling, his legal team expressed satisfaction with the judgment, emphasizing that the verdict reaffirmed the importance of a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.
