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Mother testifies in murder case of her five-year-old daughter
Angel Everline Akol, the fourth prosecution witness, told Justice Boniface Wamala that she learnt about her daughter’s condition through a phone call from a woman who identified herself as the school bursar at about 6:52pm.
Mother testifies in murder case of her five-year-old daughter
By: Godfrey Ojore, Journalist @New Vision
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The mother of five-year-old Joan Faith Apio, the pupil who was allegedly murdered at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti City, has testified before the High Court as the trial of the accused persons continues.
Angel Everline Akol, the fourth prosecution witness, told Justice Boniface Wamala that she learnt about her daughter’s condition through a phone call from a woman who identified herself as the school bursar at about 6:52pm.
Akol, who works as a midwife at Magoro Health Centre III, said she was informed that her daughter was unwell and had been taken to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
She told court that upon arriving at the hospital, she found her twin daughter lying dead on a trolley.
The court also heard that after the incident, the family sought sh21 million from the school to help meet burial expenses. Akol testified that Suzan Vivian Ariokot, one of the accused persons, allegedly declined to pay the money, describing the child’s death as a minor issue.
Akol has since completed her testimony as the prosecution continues presenting witnesses in the murder case.
Meanwhile, the court also handled a legal representation matter involving one of the accused persons, John Bosco Obotol, who hired lawyer Magomu Muminu to represent him.
Obotol, who is a younger brother to the school proprietor Joseph Okedi, had initially been represented by lawyers provided by the state.
Akol has since completed her testimony as the prosecution continues presenting witnesses in the murder case.
Meanwhile, the court also handled a legal representation matter involving one of the accused persons, John Bosco Obotol, who hired lawyer Magomu Muminu to represent him.
Obotol, who is a younger brother to the school proprietor Joseph Okedi, had initially been represented by lawyers provided by the state.
Through his new lawyer (Munimu), Obotol asked court to recall two prosecution witnesses, including juvenile witnesses, to allow him to cross-examine them.
However, prosecution objected to the request, arguing that Obotol had earlier accepted the legal representation provided to him and did not raise objections at the time.
In his ruling, Justice Wamala dismissed the application, saying the request was not supported by the law.
The court also heard that lawyer Raymond Ongom, who previously represented Okedi and his wife Suzan Vivian Ariokot, is no longer appearing for them, leaving the two to rely on lawyers provided by government.
The prosecution is expected to continue presenting more witnesses as the High Court trial progresses.
Apio, a five-year-old pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, was allegedly murdered in February 2025, shortly after joining the school. Several suspects, including school director, staff members and two juveniles, are facing charges related to her death.
However, prosecution objected to the request, arguing that Obotol had earlier accepted the legal representation provided to him and did not raise objections at the time.
In his ruling, Justice Wamala dismissed the application, saying the request was not supported by the law.
The court also heard that lawyer Raymond Ongom, who previously represented Okedi and his wife Suzan Vivian Ariokot, is no longer appearing for them, leaving the two to rely on lawyers provided by government.
The prosecution is expected to continue presenting more witnesses as the High Court trial progresses.
Apio, a five-year-old pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, was allegedly murdered in February 2025, shortly after joining the school. Several suspects, including school director, staff members and two juveniles, are facing charges related to her death.