AAR case against Dr Warsame held in camera

DAR ES SALAAM: THE case involving Dr Abdi Warsame, who is accused of fraudulently obtaining millions of shillings from the health insurance company AAR (now Assemble), is being conducted in private, without public or media attendance.

The ‘Daily News’ sought clarification from Senior Resident Magistrate Gwantwa Mwankuga, who is presiding over the case at Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam but received no clear explanation regarding the imposed restrictions.

The magistrate stated that she was not in a position to provide an answer, as she had assumed responsibility for the trial from another magistrate midway through the proceedings.

“What I can confirm is that the case is indeed being held in camera,” Magistrate Mwankuga remarked. She then directed this newspaper to the prosecutors’ office, noting that they would be better positioned to provide explanations, including the application for the case to be conducted in private and the reasons behind it.

The ‘Daily News’ visited the prosecutors’ office at Kisutu Magistrate Court. However, attempts to obtain an explanation regarding the decision to conduct proceedings in private proved futile.

The state attorney prosecuting the case simply confirmed that “the case is being conducted in camera.”

When this newspaper sought an explanation for why the hearing was conducted in private, given the public interest of the case, the prosecutor advised this reporter to consult the head of the prosecution for the Dar es Salaam Zone for further clarification.

“For us here at the Kisutu prosecution office cannot provide reasons for the restriction. Perhaps you should seek answers from our in-charge,” the prosecutor, who identified himself as Erick Kamala insisted. However, the head of prosecution for Dar es Salaam Zone could not be found in his office.

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Dr Warsame is facing two separate cases, both of which are currently at the stage of prosecution witnesses presenting evidence.

One of the cases is being heard by Senior Magistrate Mwankuga, who is reviewing evidence related to fraud allegations. Dr Warsame is accused of obtaining millions of shillings from AAR (now Assemble) by allegedly using his hospitals to falsify documents, thereby acquiring funds that were not subject to taxation.

The other case, being heard by Senior Resident Magistrate Rahimu Mushi, involves accusations that Dr Warsame fraudulently defrauded the company Strategies and obtained millions of shillings through deceptive means.