Bobby Longar Akok, a national security officer who has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing his wife and another man in Juba in June 2022 - COURTESY

The High Court in Juba has sentenced Bobby Longar Akok to death by hanging for killing his wife and another man in Juba in June this year.

The court found the National Security officer, Akok guilty of violating section 206 of the South Sudan Penal Code 2008.

The court delayed the verdict until early this week to allow the family of the victims to consult on whether to choose blood compensation or the death penalty.

But today, the family rejected the compensation, allowing the court to pronounce the final verdict.

The presiding judge, Alexander Sabor Subek said the accused did not act in a way that the court qualifies for exceptions, mentioned in section 210 of the South Sudan penal act 2008.

However, the court recommended to the relevant authorities to amend the death penalty to life imprisonment.

Judge Subek read out the court order on Friday, December 23, 2022: “Bobby Longar Akoki sentenced you to death by hanging for violating section 206 of the South Sudan Penal Code 2008. The file is submitted to the Supreme Court in accordance with the provisions of Article 258 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for confirmation for the year 2008. We recommend that the authorities amend the penalty from death to life imprisonment. The ruling was issued today, 23 December 2023.”

According to the prosecution evidence obtained by the court, Longar Akok, armed with an AK-47 rifle, opened fire on the victims when he found them seated together at a pub in June this year.

He shot his wife with four bullets while the young man had five bullet wounds.

Longer Akok got married to Rebecca Anyon Kot in 2013 and had three children – two boys and a girl.