Tundu Lissu: ‘This is the first time in world history that a single person is charged with treason!’
The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court has once more adjourned the committal proceedings of the treason trial against the main opposition figure in Tanzania, Advocate Tundu Lissu.
The learned lawyer, Tundu Lissu, who is also the chairperson of the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), the country’s top opposition party, will now have to appear in court again on the 15th of July 15, 2025.
This is after the prosecution side once again asked for another adjournment.
Lissu recently took the brave decision to defend himself in court, dropping his former team of legal counsel.
Prosecutors said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is still studying several legal opinions on the case before deciding if they should file nolle prosequi and drop the charges or pursue further prosecution at the High Court.
“I have been in remand prison for over 83 days now. Yet we are still asking for the adjournment of the case. This is the first time in the World History that one single person is being charged with treason!“
Tundu Lissu
stated Tundu Lissu whose legal challenges in court left many people awed.
The charismatic Tanzania leader of opposition movement, Tundu Lissu made the statement when he appeared at the Dar es Salaam court on July 1, 2025, after prosecutors asked for another adjournment of his treason trial.
Tundu Lissu is also an experienced lawyer who at one time also led the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), the national bar association as its president.
He therefore blasted prosecutors for delaying the case, saying he has been languishing in remand prison for 83 days while prosecutors were dilly-dallying with the case.
“What are they still investigating?” Tundu Lissu demanded to know, but the prosecuting side remained silent on this.
On the other hand, the Principal Resident Magistrate-in-Charge Franco Kiswaga said although Lissu’s arguments were valid, the lower court has no jurisdiction to order the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to either drop the charges against him or proceed with prosecutions at the High Court.
Meanwhile there was a photo went viral on social media platforms, showing the Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu following the Tundu Lissu’s court case live on one of the local Television stations.
However, the State House dismissed the picture as fake as it was doctored from the scene in which the president was following up the budget parliamentary session last June.