The High Court of Tanzania has ruled that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) must jointly pay Sh646 million to Future Century Limited. This decision was made after the court found that part of the electrical equipment seized by police in 2006 was not returned to the company. The seized equipment was placed in Tanesco's custody after police investigations found insufficient evidence to prosecute Future Century or its director.
The dispute began with police searches of Future Century's premises in Mikocheni on July 13 and 14, 2006. The searches were conducted following allegations that the company possessed electrical equipment and tools suspected to have been stolen from Tanesco. During the searches, police arrested one of the company's directors and seized 57 items. After investigations were closed, the seized equipment was placed in Tanesco's custody.
Future Century claimed that a handover exercise at Tanesco's Mikocheni offices on January 18, 2012 resulted in only 13 of the 57 seized items being returned. However, the defendants denied that any equipment remained unreturned, maintaining that all the seized items had been handed back to the company. The case was heard by High Court judge Hamidu Mwanga, who delivered the judgment on September 24, 2026.
In his judgment, Justice Mwanga said evidence established that the 57 items had been seized by police and placed under Tanesco's custody. He also noted that a Tanesco stores officer confirmed that the equipment was kept at the utility's premises and was involved in the 2012 handover exercise. However, the judge found that the defendants had failed to demonstrate how the 57 items seized were reconciled with the 13 items identified during the handover.
The judge concluded that Future Century had proved, on the balance of probabilities, that the seized equipment was not returned in its entirety. He stated, “If, as the defendants contend, all the seized items were returned, it would logically be expected that the evidence would demonstrate how those 57 items were reconciled with the items verified and handed over to the plaintiff.”
The court ordered the IGP and Tanesco to jointly pay Sh596 million for the missing equipment and Sh50 million in general damages. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to pay costs and interest of seven percent a year on the awarded amount from the date of the judgment until full payment. The judgment was published on the Tanzania Legal Information Institute (TanzLII) website on October 3.
Future Century was represented by advocates Daniel Ndugungi and Benadeta Fabian, while the defendants were represented by Principal State Attorneys Hosana Mgeni and Mkumbo Elias. The case highlights the importance of proper handling and documentation of seized items to avoid disputes and potential financial liabilities.
Key points
- The Tanzanian High Court has ordered the IGP and Tanesco to pay Sh646 million to Future Century Limited for electrical equipment seized in 2006 but not returned.
- The court found that the defendants failed to demonstrate how the 57 seized items were reconciled with the 13 items handed over to Future Century in 2012.
- The judgment was delivered on September 24, 2026, by High Court judge Hamidu Mwanga and published on the TanzLII website on October 3.
