Mabirizi seeks shs37m to file appeal after East African court throws out age limit case

Lawyer Male Mabirizi has said he is going to appeal against the East African court judgment in which his age limit case was thrown out.

The regional court on Wednesday threw out a case in which Mabirizi challenged the several actions, directives and decisions of all the three organs of government including parliament, executive and judiciary in conceptualizing, processing, pursuing and upholding of the age limit in 2019.

However, the lawyer says whereas he achieved partial victory, he will appeal against the judgment.

“The lawyers passionately outlined the principles of good governance and rule of law but the “so what” question asked by any reason was dodged by the judges. It does not make sense to a common East African, in whose interests these judges sit, to condemn the violence, the abuse of authority and flouting of legislative procedures but end up upholding the resultant law,”Mabirizi said.

The lawyer said whereas in his arguments asked the judges to ponder on a country without respect for rule of law, the same was ignored by the court.

He noted that whereas he is not rich, neither is he powerful, he is aware the framers of the East African treaty intended to ensure that all people are equal before the law but noted this was not accorded to him.

“It is upon that I am constrained to inform you that I am planning to appeal to the appellate division of The East African Court of Justice,”Mabirizi said.

He noted that whereas many are saying it is a waste of time, he wants to ensure all avenues are exhausted before getting tired.

“To prove whether the East African Community, especially the court is still relevant to us or not, we need to exhaust all their levels before we consider a “UGAEXIT” from the community for what is the purpose of a community which cannot protect citizens’ rights.”

He said he would soon launch a fundraising drive for $10,000(approximately shs37 million) to help fund his appeal in the age limit case.

 

https://nilepost.co.ug/2020/09/30/east-african-court-throws-out-lawyer-mabirizis-age-limit-case/