Thirty-year old Chinese national Li Xiuyiang was yesterday arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, charged with possession of an elephant tusk made ring worth over 32m/-.
Before Principal Resident Magistrate Cyprian Mkeha, the accused was not allowed to enter any plea as the case was going to be tried at the High Court.
Reading out the charges, State Attorney Hellen Mushi alleged that on August 6, 2016, at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam’s Ilala District, Xiuyiang was found in possession of the government trophy.
According to the prosecutor, the accused who is also an engineer, was found unlawfully possessing the trophy, which is the property of the government without a valid permit.
The accused through his interpreter maintained his innocence before the court, but the magistrate presiding over the case insisted that the court has no jurisdiction to decide on the charges.
Ms Mushi informed the court that investigations into the matter were yet to be completed and requested for a mention date.
The magistrate adjourned the case to August 24, this year, when it will come up for mention and ordered the accused to remain in remand.