Malakal court releases defendants in public prosecutor’s murder case

A mobile court in Malakal of Upper Nile State has briefly released seven defendants accused of killing the public prosecutor Thomas Aban Akol in July last year without bail.

A mobile court in Malakal of Upper Nile State has briefly released seven defendants accused of killing the public prosecutor Thomas Aban Akol Ajawin in July last year without bail.

Judge Andrew Joshua Lado told Radio Tamazuj Saturday that the prosecution requested three months to present their witnesses before the court. In response, the defense team submitted a petition for the release of the accused saying three months was a long time.

Both petitions were granted.

He said, "The court has set the 13th of July to look into the case, and to allow the witnesses to make their statements."

Judge Joshua pointed out that the court had set four court sessions for the case but only two sessions have been held so far. 

He went on to say that the mobile court has so far presided over 66 cases, 45 of which have been resolved. 

"The mobile court faces many challenges in Malakal like the lack of cars for transporting the accused from prison to the courtrooms, transporting the judges to the courts, and difficulty in presenting accused with notices to appear before the court," Judge Joshua added.