Six Soroti school murder suspects have a case to answer, court rules
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday (August 4), Justice Boniface Wamala found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against all the accused persons, requiring them to present their defence.
Lawyer Francis Ajum, assigned by the state to represent the accused, consulting during court proceedings. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)
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The High Court in Soroti has ruled that six people charged with the murder of five-year-old Joan Faith Apio have a case to answer, paving the way for the defence phase of the trial.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday (August 4), Justice Boniface Wamala found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against all the accused persons, requiring them to present their defence.
All six accused persons informed the court that they would testify on oath. Justice Wamala subsequently scheduled Wednesday, August 5, 2026, for the commencement of the defence hearing.
Faith Angel Akol, the mother of the slain five-year-old Joan Faith Apio, on a red top in the middle with relatives in court. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)
The accused are Joseph Okedi, 43, the former director of Jozan Nursery and Primary School; his wife, Suzan Vivian Ariokot, 38; Detective Corporal John Bosco Obotol, 34, attached to the Crime Intelligence Unit at Soroti City East Division Police Station and a younger brother to Okedi; James Edoket, 32, the school's head teacher; Valentin Opio, 37, the school cook; and Osula Adong, the school matron.
The six are jointly charged with the murder of Joan Faith Apio. The prosecution alleges that on February 5, 2025, at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti City East Division, the accused persons, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of the five-year-old girl.
During the court session, Ariokot indicated that she would call two witnesses in her defence. Okedi told court that he intends to call one witness and will also rely on CCTV footage as part of his defence. They are both represented by Francis Ajum and Joseph Odong.
Detective Corporal John Bosco Obotol, right, with James Edoket, the school head teacher in a T-shirt, walking to the court dock. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)
Through his lawyer, Magomu Muminu, Detective Corporal Obotol informed court that he plans to call four witnesses. Edoket also said he would present one witness.
However, Adong and Opio told court that they would not call any witnesses and would instead testify on oath. They are jointly represented by Ajum and Odong, who spoke on their behalf.
Justice Wamala also fixed Thursday, August 6, 2026, for the defence witnesses to testify.
The court session attracted a large crowd, including parents of the deceased pupil, relatives of the deceased, sympathisers and members of the public, who packed the courtroom to follow the proceedings.