Dr Samia warns judges against fabricating charges that can lead to unjust imprisonment
DODOMA: THE Tanzanian President, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, has called on judges and magistrates across the country to carry out their duties with a high level of accountability in administering justice, warning against the practice of fabricating charges that results in some citizens being imprisoned without guilt.
President Samia made the remarks today, January 13, 2026, in Dodoma during the opening of the Annual General Meeting of the Tanzania Magistrates and Judges Association (TMJA), held at the Judiciary Headquarters. In her address, she emphasized that an independent, competent, and ethical judiciary is a key pillar of good governance and the foundation for access to justice for citizens.
In light of this importance, President Samia said the Government will continue to protect and respect the independence of the Judiciary so that it can perform its responsibilities without pressure or interference.
“Tanzanians have very high expectations of you. They want to see a judiciary that administers justice transparently, in accordance with constitutional principles, the law, and human dignity,” President Samia said.
However, the President expressed concern over cases where individuals are imprisoned based on fabricated charges, calling on all actors within the justice system to reflect on their roles.
“There are people in remand who are imprisoned simply because cases were fabricated. What kind of ‘engineering’ was used in court for someone to be sent to prison on a fabricated case? When they are released, they say they never had a case and were falsely accused, yet they served time. You who took them there and deprived them of their freedom should examine yourselves and ask what role you played in that injustice,” President Samia Suluhu Hassan said.
She further urged judges and magistrates to uphold justice, human dignity, and professionalism in their decisions, stressing that justice that is properly served builds public trust in the justice system and strengthens the rule of law in the country.
