Signpost of the Nimule Court in Nimule Municipality. File photo.

A High Court in Nimule has sentenced eight men to three years in prison each for killing a man they accused of witchcraft, despite a private settlement reached between the victim’s family and the accused.

According to court documents, the eight convicts and another suspect who was later acquitted attacked the deceased, Atary Denis, at his home in Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria State.

The court heard that after accusing Denis of witchcraft, the group broke into his house, beat him, tied him up and burned him alive.

In their defence, the accused claimed that women who approached the victim would collapse and cry while mentioning his name.

The case was initially handled through customary arrangements, where the family of the victim agreed to accept blood compensation, known as diya, to be paid jointly by the eight convicted men.

According to the court case summary, the settlement was reached on the understanding that eight people should not lose their lives because of the death of one person.

Ciro Otti Logol, the father of the deceased, told the court that he had forgiven the eight accused persons and that the matter had been amicably resolved between the two sides.

However, the court ruled that the criminal offence extended beyond the private interests of the family and required punishment under public law.

The court said the offence affected not only the family of the deceased but also public rights.

Eight men were convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment each, while one accused person, Otto Samuel, was acquitted.

The eight convicted are Oroma James Lodu, 25, Komakech Joseph Felix, 49, Ochora Emmanuel, 24, Watmone Cosmas Nyeko, 36, Oryem Bosco Okot, 21, Akera Samuel Felix, 25, Okwera Charles Onen, 25, and Ochaya Richard James, 35.

In its ruling, the court said the prison terms were imposed in respect of the public rights arising from the offence, underscoring that reconciliation between families does not automatically remove criminal liability where the wider public interest is involved.