Ruling for Ponda’s application in March

Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda, the secretary general of the Council of Islamic Organisations in Tanzaniaaption

 The High Court on March 18 this year will rule on the preliminary objection by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) against Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda’s application for review. Judge Augustine Mwarija set the date yesterday after both parties completed their submissions. Sheikh Ponda, who is also the secretary of the Council of Islamic Organisations in Tanzania, filed the application seeking review of the decision by Morogoro Resident Magistrates’ Court that refused to withdraw sedition charges against him. However, the DPP objected the application on the ground that it is contrary to section 372(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA). “The Act restricts a person to appeal or seek review of the decision in the criminal case which is in progress,” DPP alleged in his preliminary objection.