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{
    "id": 175067,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/175067/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 450,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Wako",
    "speaker_title": "The Attorney-General",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 208,
        "legal_name": "Sylvester Wakoli Bifwoli",
        "slug": "wakoli-bifwoli"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Chairman, Sir, I have talked to the hon. Member and expressed my dissatisfaction. The intention might be good or in the right direction, but the Clause requires a bit of proper redrafting. Left as it is, it can be used to the disadvantage of the accused persons. We should always have the liberty to have a fair trial. This Clause is saying that during the hearing of a case, where an accused person applies for an adjournment, the court may order the accused person to pay witness costs and any related costs. Most of the accused persons may not necessarily be in a position to pay those costs. Where you talk about \"may\" you are giving an unnecessary wide discretion to the court, which can be misused. I suggested to the hon. Member that we can sit down together restrict, considerably, the discretion that the court may have in this particular issue, because I know that in any Act you can restrict it in an appropriate manner, so that it cannot be misused by the courts. I indicated to her that I was prepared to include this amendment, but after it is redrafted. As you have noticed, most of the amendments under the Criminal Procedure Code relate to the plea bargaining process. This is the whole thrust of the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill that this House is now passing. This Section does not quite fall in that category of plea bargaining process. I reluctantly have to say that I oppose. If hon. Members vote against it, I can assure the hon. Member that I will sit down and discuss it with her thereafter. So, I am urging hon. Members to vote against it."
}