Sailesh Vithlani kapotelea wapi!?

Two weeks ago, we broke the news that, Sailesh Vithlani - the man who has been hiding out in Switzerland for years, to escape prosecution for brokering the BAE radar scam - has finally been arrested by UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Vithlani fled Tanzania almost three years ago while out on bail for charges involving the trumped up $40million radar deal, and since then the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has sought help from the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in getting Vithlani extradited back to the country to face the charges.

But, what is worrying us, is the dilly-dallying by the UK in extraditing the Radar deal's prime suspect even after the country was requested officially by the PCCB that Vithlani is wanted back home to face criminal charges.

Perhaps the most appalling move is the SFO's decision to grant a bail to Vithlani under controversial circumstances last week, while knowing that the radar deal mastermind is wanted in Tanzania where he jumped the bail four years ago.

It is unfair for UK-a country purporting to be at the frontline in fighting corruption to dilly-dally the extradition of the man they know very well that is the prime suspect in the controversial radar deal.

The same UK has been putting pressure to Tanzania under the donor umbrella to hurry the investigations of grand corruption cases in order for the country to prove before the international community that ‘it was fully determined to fight corruption.'

UK should therefore stand for its words by assisting Tanzania to extradite Vithlani as well as two Britons found to have received kickback pays during the radar deal. It should stop double standards in the radar case and commit its resources in helping PCCB to extradite the three prime suspects in this case.

Apart from Vithlani, two UK citizens, including a former close aide to Tony Blair, have been implicated in the controversial radar deal. Vithlani organised the $40 million deal between the UK arms suppliers British Aerospace Engineering (BAE Systems) and the Tanzanian government, and allegedly received kickbacks amounting to $12 million that he shared with at least seven high-ranking officials from the previous Tanzanian administration.

We don't expect the UK authorities to follow the same path they took few years ago in blocking the investigation of dubious arms deal between BAE System and the Saudi regime.

On June 12, 2007, Blair defended the government's 2006 decision to halt the SFO's investigation into the alleged bribery surrounding BAE Systems' contracts with Saudi Arabia. The former prime minister told the House of Commons that continuing the investigation would have damaged the UK's relationship with the oil-rich country.

Since 1985, BAE Systems has signed a $80billion worth of arms contracts with Saudi Arabia. But it was alleged these were agreed in return for payments totalling £1 billion to Prince Bander.

With memory of what happened in the BAE-Saudi multibillion deal still fresh in our minds, we would like to ask the UK---our long-term partner, to come clean on the radar case, by extraditing the prime suspects as requested by the PCCB. It will be a shame for the UK which has been number one preacher to Tanzania on how to fight corruption to shield individuals who are implicated in corruption scandals.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY

Bubu Ataka Kusema said:

UK should come clean on the radar suspects​

But, what is worrying us, is the dilly-dallying by the UK in extraditing the Radar deal's prime suspect even after the country was requested officially by the PCCB that Vithlani is wanted back home to face criminal charges.[/FONT]


SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY

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Given the fact that Mr. Vithlani happens to be a British Citizen, one should not expect UK authorities to just bundle him on the next flight to Dar as if he were a common illegal immigrant recently released from prison. Mr. Vithlani enjoys certain fundamental rights as a Citizen under British Law, which may work against or at least complicate any extradition proceedings instituted against him by Tz gov. So, if he eventually gets extradited at all this may take time, but there's a a good possibility Vithlani may may decide to challenge any extradition efforts in a UK court of law. Bottom line is the whole extradition process will require both time and effort.

there was a huge debate in the UK parliament considering the sell of radar to tanzania many parliament members arguing it was un-necessary purchase for a country of tanzania status with an expensive radar. matter of fact it was so questionable that it was covered by many circular papers.

the then prime minister defended the sell as it was necessary for our air support against air stikes as it was just after the East Africa bombings of the American Embassies. However reading the theread makes me ask about the programme Bremner,Bird and Fortune though it is some sort of political satire it tries to bring facts. upon trying to reach the ministry of defence for the sell of the radar it never got any further nor any support from the ministry as those issues in the England are considered to be sensitive that is their argument.

so if it was all a sham how do you suppose it worked, questions to be asked on our part who was rensiponsible for the proposal of the purchase. to answer that we do not need Vithlam that much for political interference with the UK as they have their cover up story to make with their investigators, with Vithlam on our hands then its becomes an open inquiry even in england they have their sins too. so dont expect him into our hands.

who we need is the rensiponsible person who had contacts with vithlam on our side and the tanzanians represtentive who supported the purchase and what criteria they used for the purchase and how they made sure they were getting the best value for the purchase as i understand it was a second hand radar, and bought on loan as the argument on the parliament was how would a poor country afford such un-neccesary purchase. So Vithlam can disappear but mkapa should be the start of the investigation and who else is up to him and the defence and all the rest responsible.

I do not think it is a good idea to bring Vithlani to Tanzania. Knowing our legal and political systems it would be prudent to try him in England. In Tanzania the case may just wither in thin air.

Did Serikali ya Jamhuri wa Muungano wa Tanzania open a criminal case on Radar scandal? Has the URT done any investigations of its own about Radar Scandal? Has URT issued arrest warrants to those who have been alleged to be part of the Radar Scandal Scheme?

If the answer is NO to any of my questions, then how can anyone dare to claim SFO and UK are chelewesharing the case at Kivukoni or Kisutu?

Hivi si Serikali yetu ilidai kuwa haina kesi bali inahitaji fidia?

Kesi ya huyu mdosi inaendeleaje?
Mkumbuke huyu alifanya deals za
-Ndege ya Rais
-Vifaa jeshini

Wow!!!!!!!!!!! shit This issue was expired cause of Authorities so we try to fight another deals. What about the man did not menction or calling (BM) kila mtu hamtaji kwanini?

Actually mkapa should be jailed