The wife of abducted activist Mdude Nyagali has filed a petition against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Mbeya Regional Police Commander, Mbeya Regional Crime Officer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and an individual named Shaaban Charo, seeking the return of her missing husband. The petition was heard on June 30, 2025, with several of Mdude’s friends and party colleagues attending the court in solidarity.
Mdude was abducted from his home on May 2, 2025, in an incident that occurred in front of his wife and infant child. A pool of blood was left at the scene. Since then, members of his political party, CHADEMA, have launched a search across various parts of Mbeya. They have been camping at the party’s local offices, organizing prayer vigils, and demanding answers from the police, whom they suspect may be involved in the incident.
In the petition, filed by Mdude’s wife, Sije Emmanuel Mbugi, a man named Shaaban Charo is also listed as a respondent. Charo is believed to be a police officer who was reportedly seen searching for Mdude’s home two days before the abduction. Several reports circulating on social media have linked him to the incident. Police said to have launched an investigation to see if any of their officers are involved in the abduction.
“Five of the respondents responded, but one has not, so we are waiting for the decision, which will be received on July 9, 2025,” said Mdude’s lawyer, Boniface Mwabukusi.
