Aweil North County man arrested for wife’s murder over grain dispute

A 45-year-old man, Geng Deng Akech, from Aweil North County, has been apprehended and remanded to the Aweil South County Prison in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State for the murder of his wife, Aluet Anet Anei.

A 45-year-old man, Geng Deng Akech, from Aweil North County, has been apprehended and remanded to the Aweil South County Prison in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State for the murder of his wife, Aluet Anet Anei.

The Aweil South County Commissioner, Luka Thel, confirmed the arrest and told Radio Tamazuj that the suspect allegedly killed his wife on 19 November after she found him attempting to steal the family’s grain with intent to sell it to procure alcohol, a move the wife was strongly opposed to.

“This unfortunate incident involved the tragic death of a woman identified as Aluet Anet Anei, 35 at the hand of her husband, Geng Deng Akech, 45. According to initial information, the couple has been having ongoing conflicts at home due to Deng’s alcohol abuse, resulting in frequent altercations and a lack of family provisions,” he said. “During the rainy season, the woman diligently cultivated crops to provide food for her children, while her husband remained inactive. However, as the dry season approached, the accused husband attempted to steal the produce and take it to the local market for alcohol consumption.”

“When the wife resisted, he assaulted and ultimately killed her on 19 November in an area known as Malual Aduet in Aweil North County,” Commissioner Thel added.

Aweil South County Police Inspector Brigadier General John Garang Akook confirmed that the suspect has been apprehended and is currently being held at the Aweil South County Prison, awaiting the completion of investigations.

“The procedures for this crime are still in progress as the victim was recently killed and the primary suspect is currently under detention,” he stated.

According to Article 206 of the South Sudan Penal Code, whoever causes the death of another person commits the offence of murder and, upon conviction, be sentenced to death or imprisonment for life, and may also be liable to a fine; provided that if the nearest relatives of the deceased opt for customary blood compensation.