Eight people, including school administrators, a police officer and two pupils, have been sent to the High Court in Soroti to face trial over the murder of a seven-year-old girl earlier this year.
The case centres on the death of Joan Faith Apio, a Primary One pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, who was discovered dead in a school latrine with her throat slit on 5 February. The killing sparked outrage in Soroti, with residents linking it to suspected ritual practices.
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The accused, who appeared before Grade One Magistrate Apollo Kibirige Kasujja on Monday, include the school’s co-director Suzan Vivian Ariokot, 38, and her husband and fellow director Joseph Okedi, 43. Others charged are head teacher James Edoket, 32; police officer John Bosco Obotol, 34, who is Okedi’s brother; school cook Valentine Opio, 37; school matron Osula Adong, 34; and two Primary Six pupils.
Court documents state that the investigation was compromised after school officials allegedly tampered with the crime scene. The magistrate said the victim’s twin sister had told police that Apio was last seen with one of the juvenile suspects before her body was discovered.
The Director of Public Prosecutions told court that there was sufficient evidence to proceed. All suspects have been remanded to different detention centres pending trial.
“You are hereby committed to the High Court for trial,” Magistrate Kibirige said.
Apio’s death deeply shocked the local community. Outside court, her mother, Everlyne Angela Akol, said she wanted nothing but justice.
“Their money cannot bring back my daughter. Let them remain in prison and pay for what they did,” she told reporters.
The High Court will now take over the case, as it has the mandate to hear capital offences such as murder.
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