By KT Reporter
The Soroti Grade One Magistrate, Apollo Kassujja Kibirige, has addressed the public on the ongoing judicial proceedings in the murder case of Joan Faith Apio. Apio, a pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, was found butchered in a staff latrine, sparking widespread concern.
Kibirige emphasized that the court does not conduct investigations but relies on police evidence to determine the next steps. He stated, “We only wait for evidence from the police to decide whether to commit them to the High Court or to continue pushing the matter for mention.”
He further clarified that the case is currently in the mentioned phase, as police investigations are still ongoing, and reassured the public that there is no delay on the court’s part. Tensions escalated when eight suspects, including school directors Joseph Okedi and Suzan Vivian Ariokot Okedi, headteacher James Edoket, police officer John Bosco Obotol, school cook Valentine Opio, school matron Osula Adong, and two juveniles, appeared virtually in court on March 6, 2025.
The virtual appearance sparked anger among residents, leading to unrest, which culminated in the torching and looting of the school. The suspects have been remanded to separate prisons and are scheduled to appear again on April 3, 2025. At that time, the court will decide whether to commit them to the High Court, pending the completion of police investigations.
Meanwhile, Soroti Chief Magistrate Hilda Bakanasa Kalaga has remanded twelve additional suspects and extended bail for Soroti City MP Joan Alobo, who is connected to incidents of arson and theft at the school on March 6, 2025. Moses Okot Junior Bitek, a lawyer representing the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has called for transparency in the legal proceedings, urging the court to disclose all evidence against his clients.
Magistrate Kalaga noted that the court cannot proceed with hearings at this time due to ongoing plea bargain discussions at the High Court. She has scheduled a hearing for March 31, 2025, involving several political figures, including Soroti City MP Joan Alobo, Soroti City West MP Jonathan Ebwalu, and FDC party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi.
They face various charges related to unlawful assembly, assaulting three police officers, blocking traffic, and public disorder during the “No Cow, No Vote” campaign for compensation for Teso War victims-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
