In a dramatic courtroom showdown this morning, the legal team representing Carter Morupisi, the disgraced former Permanent Secretary to the President, called for Justice Mercy Garekwe to recuse herself from his ongoing case. The defense accused Justice Garekwe of harboring bias against Morupisi, citing past rulings as evidence of an alleged vendetta.
Allegations of Bias
Morupisi’s lawyers specifically pointed to a 2018–2020 defamation case he filed against the Sunday Standard newspaper, which Justice Garekwe dismissed. The legal team argued that her decision in that case reflects a deliberate intent to “punish” their client. They claim her continued involvement threatens the fairness of the current proceedings.
“The pattern of Justice Garekwe’s rulings demonstrates a lack of impartiality toward our client,” the defense argued. “Her decisions have shown clear prejudice, making it impossible for Mr. Morupisi to receive a fair trial under her jurisdiction.”
State Pushback
The Attorney General’s office, however, strongly opposed the motion for recusal, dismissing the defense’s accusations as baseless. They argued that Morupisi’s failure to appeal the defamation case dismissal indicates that the Sunday Standard was not wrong in its reporting.
“If Mr. Morupisi felt the judgment in the defamation case was unjust, he had ample opportunity to challenge it in a higher court. His inaction suggests he accepted the validity of that ruling,” the state representative countered.
Implications for the Case
The demand for Justice Garekwe’s recusal raises questions about the direction and integrity of Morupisi’s case. If the motion is granted, it could lead to delays and possibly a reassignment of the case to another judge. However, if denied, the defense may use this as grounds for future appeals, prolonging the legal battle.
Morupisi’s Legal Troubles
Morupisi faces charges of corruption and abuse of office during his tenure as Permanent Secretary to the President. His legal woes have captured national attention, with the case becoming a litmus test for Botswana’s commitment to transparency and justice.
Justice Garekwe has yet to issue a decision on the recusal request, but her ruling is expected to have significant implications for the progress of the trial. For now, the courtroom drama continues to unfold, keeping the public and legal observers on edge.