CES Minister of Anima Resosurces, Fisheries and Tourism reacts to court order against his decision|Photo|Moyo Jacob

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.