The state attorney Mr. Kodoli Wanyama, on Thursday, April 11, told court that the minister of Internal Affairs acted in accordance to the law and powers vested in him when he deported the MTN Chief Executive Officer Wim Vanhelleputte.
He said the minister did not need any permission to deport Mr Vanhelleputte.
“The Immigration Act of Parliament gives the minister full powers to deport someone and whoever is aggrieved with his decision there is another option of appealing,” Mr Wanyama told court.
However, in his last appearance in court, Mr. Wanyama had told court that they were still looking for information in relevant departments and authorities to respond to the application of Mr. Vanhelleputte.
Mr Vanhelleputte’s lawyer, Mr Wycliffe Birungi, told court that the deportation order issued against him by Gen Odongo was inappropriate.
“The process used by the Minister of Internal Affairs to declare the applicant (Mr Vanhelleputte) was undesirable and his subsequent deportation was high-handed and or arbitrary and contrary to the law as the applicant was never accorded any fair or just treatment before, during and after making of the deportation order,” Mr Birungi submitted.
Justice Henrietta Wolayo has fixed May 10 for Mr. Vanhelleputte to file written submission of his case in court, Attorney General on June 10, rejoinder June 17 and the ruling will be on notice.
Last month, Mr. Vanhelleputte dragged the Attorney General to court, challenging his deportation as being irrational and illegal.
In the lawsuit filed before the High Court Civil Division, Mr. Vanhellepute is seeking orders to quash his deportation following an order issued by the Internal Affairs minister Gen. Jeje Odongo on February 14, 2019.
Through his lawyers of Birungi and Company Advocates, he is also demanding for damages from government for violating his rights to a fair hearing, just treatment and illegal detention.
