A journalist working for the community Singaita FM in Kapoeta, Eastern Equatoria State, has expressed frustrations over the delay by the Torit court to try him for a defamatory case filed by the local Catholic Diocese.
Sisto Gideon Ohide was arrested from his workplace in Kapoeta on August 7, 2024, detained in Torit and released on bail on August 9, 2024 following several appeals by the media and the State parliament.
His arrest was connected to his July 26 story aired by Singaita FM, about a dispute between the Diocese and a woman accused of breaking a statue of Virgin Mary in the Church.
“Following my arrest and my release on August 9 on bail after an investigation, I gave my statement. The next thing I was expecting is to appear before the court for trial, but it is unfortunate that there has been no feedback,” he told Radio Tamazuj.
“I have been in dilemma all this time, as I keep waiting for the hearing dates,” he added.
On Friday, I received a text message from the legal advisor, who instructed me to report to my place of work since the church intended to resolve the issue out of court. They were expecting the family of the woman who broke the statue to appear at the church to discuss the matter, Ohide explained.
The Singaita journalist complained that he was not invited to the Saturday meeting, yet he was arrested for airing the story about the dispute between the church and the woman.
Ohide said his communication with his boss had been affected due to the delay in the court hearing.
According to official sources in Torit, the church on Saturday resolved to discuss the case with the family of Wanda Immo Lokoro (the accused) in a bid to settle it out of court.
“We appreciate the fact that the leadership of Bishop Emmanuel Bernadino is inviting the family of Wanda Immo Lokoro for a peaceful resolution after all the legal actions against the family. However, some information shared on radio this evening is incorrect and manipulative, as the legal counsel for the defense reached out to me when I was out of the state. I want to assure that we will be present, by the grace of God, tomorrow at the right time and place,” the lawyer for the accused stated.
Eastern Equatoria State Civil Society Organizations Network’s John Bush Lino blamed the church for first taking legal action against the family of the woman and the journalist instead of exercising forgiveness, which it preaches.
“The Catholic Church is a big institution and this case was not supposed to be taken to court, because a church needs people to be at peace and harmony,” he said.
Radio Tamazuj’s efforts to contact the church lawyer, Anthony Beda, for comments on Monday were not immediately successful.
“I cannot talk with you at the moment,” he said.
According to Ohide, the church’s warrant of arrest accused him of publishing a defamatory statement. Hence, he preferred to be tried in the court to clear his tarnished reputation.