Wau activist fined SSP 1.2M for deceitful co-habitation

The County Court in Wau town of Western Bhar El Gazal on Tuesday convicted and fined the Regional Coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization for deceitfully co-habiting with a former female journalist.

The court found Stephen Robo Musa guilty of impregnating a university student, for the second time despite her parents taking her back home and returning her to school.

25-year-old Rejoice Michael first conceived for Musa in 2018 when she was 18 years- old.

In 2021, she again became pregnant for Musa which angered her parents to file a police case against the civil society activist.

In 2022, Musa was charged with co-habitation.

In a ruling yesterday, the court ordered him to pay one million two hundred and fifty thousand South Sudan pounds to compensate the aggrieved family, and 200 thousand pounds in a court fine.

The County Court Judge, Amira Samuel Machar passed the verdict.

Victime Rejoice Michael confirmed that; “The decision issued by the court today [Tuesday] convicts, the accused committed crime in accordance with the text of Article 264 of the South Sudan Penal Code of 2008.

“As a victim, I did not find justice in the court because at least he had to be sentenced to disciplinary action that would be an example for those who work as activists or those who have money and corrupt the behavior of young girls.

“He noticed that after the court’s decision required him to pay 200,000 pounds, and in the event of non-payment, he would be imprisoned for a year, as well as paying compensation to the family, he immediately paid and left the court buildings.

“I felt injustice here and there was pain in my heart,” she said.

When contacted by Eye Radio, convict Stephen Robo Musa referred the matter to his lawyer who declined to comment.

According to section 264 of the South Sudan Penal Act 2008, any person who is not lawfully married and cohabited by deceit or is believed to have had sexual intercourse commits an offense.

Upon conviction, he or she will be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or with a fine or with both.

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