Category: Justice

CES Animal Minister accused of defying court order, official criticizes move

An advocate has accused Central Equatoria’s Minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism of defying a court order against his decision to dissolve butchers’ union early this year, a move the official describes as defamatory campaign.

According to James All Atheib, the butchers’ union defense lawyer, the court and the Attorney issued an order demanding the minister respond to the allegations or revoke the decision.

But the minister refused to abide by the court order.

“They also refused to abide by the order of the Attorney and refused to receive the letters and all is a clear indication these people are no longer government officials,

The advocated suggested for lifting of the officials’ immunity to face the order while explaining the procedure of the court of law.

“Lifting the immunity is one of the procedures in the criminal law that somebody with an immunity if he dishonored the immunity by committing a crime against any provision of the criminal act of the Republic of South Sudan, then a case is launched against him before the competent authority.

“Then next step afterwards is to request the removal of the immunity so that the concerned personnel face the criminal law.”

In January this year, Minister Alex Lotiyu Elia issued an order dissolving the Butchers Union steering committee and another order formulating a new body to replace the dissolved one.

The minister issued the orders citing the appointment of the then committee was not done in accordance with the law and was not licensed by the government.

The matter prompted the dissolved body to sue the Minister in court.

In response, Minister Alex Lotiyu Elia criticized the advocate for the decision he describes as a defamatory campaign.

“I think he went to the media and started defaming or calling the government and called on His Excellency the Governor to lift our immunity and I think that to me, is a kind of defamation campaign which is not acceptable.

Lotiyu argues that, the decision he took was within the administrative powers of the ministry.

“So, today (Tuesday) I want to clarify that, the decision I took was within the administrative power of the ministry.

“And again, these people are not licensed from the ministry and they are operating illegally without the blessing and the support of Central Equatoria State government,” he added.

Five KCB Wau branch managers sentenced over embezzlement

The high court in Juba has sentenced five senior staff of Kenyan Commercial Bank to 9 years imprisonment for embezzling $2 million and SSP 100 million from the Wau branch.

The court ordered the convicts pay back the stolen money to the Bank.

It also imposed a one million pound fine one of the convicts and acquitting another.

This came after the internal auditor on June 2022 discovered the disappearance of $2 million and SSP31 million S from  the bank treasury in two of the Wau branches  in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

This prompted the bank administration to file a criminal case against the Bank branch manager, operation manager and treasury custodian, among others.

Prior to the verdict, the accused made judicial confession to the crime.

Branch manager Madit Steven Jok admitted he was responsible over the disappearance of $1,93,000 and SSP 13,328,530

The second accused, the court identified as Daniel Akoi Jok confessed of taking $ 330.000 and SSP 59,373.825 while Juma Sabeno Augustino who was the third accused admitted stealing 530,000 US dollars.

Presiding Judge Alexander Subek Sabor sentenced the two and three others namely Lino Arkangelo Mongo and Musa Agad Abdallah to 9 years imprisonment on two criminal charges.

“The court has convicted Madit Steven Jok, Daniel Akoi Jok, Juma Sabenio Augustino, Lino Arkangelo Mongo and Musa Agad Abdallah to 2 years imprisonment for violating the section 346 of South Sudan Penal act 2008.

“And also you are hereby sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for violating the section 351 of South Sudan Penal act 2008 the two penalties will be served sequentially.

“The court imposed one million South Sudan Pound as fined on the seventh accused Faisal Mohamad Hamedi if he fails to pay, he will serve 5 months in jail staring from today 6/2/2024, acquitted the eight accused Al Shafique Ahamed Yacob,”

They will serve two years for violating sections 346 and 351 of the South Sudan Penal acts 2008

The convicts have two weeks to appeal against the verdict.

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