The Territorial police in Aswa East region and Pader district, has charged to court 6 suspects including the LC 3 Chairman, Ajani sub-county, for the murder of 80 year old, Akongo Mary, a peasant farmer of Acamuling village, Paibwor parish, Ajani sun-county in Pader district. They accused the victim of practicing witchcraft, and ordered the community to kill her. We strongly condemn such acts of impunity and lawlessness.
The facts gathered indicate that on the 20.09.2023 at around 5pm, Mwaka Christopher, the LC 3 Chairman, Ajani sub-county,, Okeny Francis, the LC 2 Chairman Paibwor, Odongo Robert, the LC1 Chairman of Acamuling village and Rubangakene Denis, the GISO Ajani Sub-county, caused the arrest of the victim and arraigned her in a Kangaroo court at the home of Oyet Yusuf, where they accused the victim, before the mobilized community members for practicing witch craft. The victim forcefully apologized to the community and the local leaders..
It is at this stage that the LC3 Chairman, instructed the community to kill the victim and burn her home. She was tortured, while being led from the home of Oyet Yusuf upto her home. The angry mob killed her and set her body on fire. Her homestead was also burnt.
The matter was brought to the attention of the police in Pader, who responded to the scene of murder, documented it and carried out a post mortem. The other arrested suspects include; Oyet Yusuf, Ochaya Francis, Akello Lucy, Ayeno Shilah, Ali Concy and Alima Sunday. Efforts are in place to trace for the other suspects still in hiding and on the run, and bring them to justice.
As the police, we strongly condemn such acts of impunity. There is no justification at all for the actions of the suspects. We are confident, our homicide team, will fast track the matter to court.
SCP Enanga Fred
Police Spokesperson
26th September 2023
