Former Regional affairs Minister Isaac Musumba, Igara west MP Michael Mawanda and businessman Yakuba Mathai have been arrested in India over allegations of trying to extort money worth from US$20 million from four directors of electronics giant Videocon.
The arrest was confirmed by foreign affairs Permanent Secretary James Mugume but said the matter was being handled by the Ugandan high Commission in India.
| Former Minister Isaac Musumba |
“Yes they were arrested for extortion but after the High Commission intervention, they were allowed back to the Hotel and the matter is being handled,” Mugume said.
An Indian newspaper Mumbai Mirror reported that the three were arrested on Friday by the MRA marg police from the Trident Hotel at midnight.
The newspaper said that according to Police, the three visited the corporate office of Videocon industries on Thursday afternoon and claimed they had an international arrest warrant for the four directors of the company.
“They met officials at the corporate office and said that they had come from Uganda to arrest four directors of the company against whom Interpol has issued an international warrant,” A senior police officer told Mumbai Mirror.
“They claimed that Videocon had invested in a mining business in Uganda in 2009, but the four directors suddenly wrapped up the business within six months, signed a memorandum of understanding with the partner and left the country, duping several investors.” Added the police officer's statement to the newspaper.
The two politicians reportedly told the office staff to inform the four directors about their visit and get in touch with them at the Trident.
When the Videocon legal team met the team at the hotel, the two reportedly informed them that they would settle the matter if the four directors paid them $20 million.
Although Maranga and Musumba, hold diplomatic passports, they said they had gone to India for personal businesses upon interrogation.
Musumba is quoted to have said he had come to provide legal advice to Mathai.
Police reportedly notified the Indian ministry of external affairs and investigations on whether Maranga and Musumba are entitled to diplomatic immunity.
Although Maranga and Musumba, hold diplomatic passports, they said they had gone to India for personal businesses upon interrogation.
Musumba is quoted to have said he had come to provide legal advice to Mathai.
“If not, they said, they would arrest them. The legal team informed their office of the trio's demands, upon which Marven Fernandes, one of the directors, approached the police and registered a case against them,” the newspaper quotes the police as saying.
“The MRA marg police registered a case of extortion, fraudulent removal or concealment of property, and common intention against the trio. Though the investigation is on and they are being questioned, we are also checking if the accused have diplomatic immunity,” said Ravindra Shisve, deputy commissioner of police (zone 1) said.
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