Businessman Onebe murder case gets new judge, hearing set for September
Previously, the matter was being handled by Justice Michael Elubu, who recused himself from the case, citing loss of confidence in his court by the defence lawyers.
Onebe, 63, an accountant by profession, is accused of killing his wife Aiso and later dumping her body in a septic tank at their matrimonial home in Munyonyo, Kampala city.
By Michael Odeng
Journalists @New Vision
KAMPALA - The hearing of a case in which businessman Francis Onebe is accused of killing his wife is set to proceed on September 15, after the matter was allocated to a new High Court judge, Andrew Khaukha.
Previously, the matter was being handled by Justice Michael Elubu, who recused himself from the case, citing loss of confidence in his court by the defence lawyers.
Elubu has since been transferred to the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Kampala.
Onebe, who is accused of killing his wife, Immaculate Mary Blessing Aiso, is being represented by lawyers Patrick Kasumba, David Oluka, and Joshua Emorut.
So far, over 10 prosecution witnesses had testified in the matter.
Onebe, 63, an accountant by profession, is accused of killing his wife Aiso and later dumping her body in a septic tank at their matrimonial home in Munyonyo, Kampala city.
The offence of murder elicits a maximum sentence of death on conviction.
The businessman, together with his security guard, Bonny Oriekot, 26, has spent over two years on remand at Luzira Prison after being denied bail twice.
Background
On January 6, 2021, Onebe reported a case of his missing wife at Buziga Police Post and investigations commenced. He claimed that her wife was picked up by plainclothes operatives travelling in a ‘drone’ and taken to an unknown destination.
A week later, her body was recovered from a septic tank at the couple’s residence by the joint security team headed by the Crime Investigation Department of the Police Force.
Police preliminary investigations reveal that Onebe and Aiso parted ways and after 14 years, reunited and formally married until her murder.
Following a Police probe, Onebe was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife before Makindye Chief Magistrates Court and later committed to the High Court for trial after completion of investigations.
He is battling murder charges together with Bonny Oriekot, 26, a security guard attached to Pentagon Security.
In the committal papers, the Director of Public Prosecutions reveals that Onebe and Aiso had a dispute over sorcery, resulting in the death of his wife.