MP Godi jailed for 25 years over murder
Feb 11, 2011
THE High Court in Mukono has sentenced Arua Municipality MP Akbar Hussein Godi to 25years in jail for the murder of his 19 year old wife. Justice Lawrence Gidudu said in his ruling that that evidence adduced to court in the case proved beyond reasonable doubt that Godi murdered Rehema Caesar.
By Edward Anyoli and Pascal Kwesiga
THE High Court in Mukono has sentenced Arua Municipality MP Akbar Hussein Godi to 25years in jail for the murder of his 19 year old wife. Justice Lawrence Gidudu said in his ruling that that evidence adduced to court in the case proved beyond reasonable doubt that Godi murdered his wife Rehema Caesar.
The judge justified the sentence saying that the convict is a first time offender, aged 28 with two children and other dependants he looks after.
He said Godi’s family would suffer the consequence of the sentence if he gave him a stiff penalty.
The MP clad in a black suit, pink shirt and necktie sipped his bottle of water and tried to reach out to his defence lawyer as the Judge delivered the verdict.
Prosecution stated that Rehema was shot dead at Lukojja village in Mukono district on December 4, 2008.
Assessors advised the court to convict Godi, saying prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that he killed his wife, a claim Godi denied.
A total of 30 prosecution witnesses, including Rehema’s two sisters, testified. Other key witnesses included Robinah Kirinya, a ballistics expert, and Justus Mike Ocom, a forensics expert.
Kirinya, in her testimony, told court that the two bullet cartridges found at the murder scene came from the pistol owned by the MP, while Ocom said the soil sample got from Godi’s shoes was similar to that at the murder scene.
But Godi, in his defence, denied ownership of the shoes and told court that he accounted for all the bullets to the Police.
In her final submission, senior principal state attorney Joan Kagezi said there was overwhelming circumstantial evidence to prove that Godi participated in the murder of his wife on December 4, 2008.
Who is Godi?
Godi (28) was a first-year student at the Kampala International University when he became Arua Municipality (FDC) MP in 2006.
He now holds a Law degree, according to the posting on the Parliamentary website. Godi who hails from Yumbe, married Rehema then a secondary school student, in December 2007.
But before their marriage, Rehema’s brother, Nasur Kafu, had filed a defilement case against Godi at the Arua Police Station, saying Rehema was 17 years. Godi insisted Rehema was 18 years and the case did not take off.
Godi quickly announced the wedding plans in September 2007. Rehema’s relatives say that the marriage was on the rocks soon after because Godi suspected her of infidelity.
He defended his action by saying; “Time comes when you have to make a decision in your life,†in an interview with The New Vision over the controversy over his relationship with Rehema. “I want to marry to end the prejudice against me of being called young.†His colleagues, he said, referred to him as a “childâ€.
After Rehema’s murder, Godi was suspected, but he could not be traced. But Arua District Police Chief said Godi called him on a concealed number and told him he had heard about his wife’s murder in Mukono. The DPC advised him to hand himself over to the Police immediately
“He claimed to be calling from Kampala although he was sighted in Arua on Monday driving in the town,†Salube added.
THE High Court in Mukono has sentenced Arua Municipality MP Akbar Hussein Godi to 25years in jail for the murder of his 19 year old wife. Justice Lawrence Gidudu said in his ruling that that evidence adduced to court in the case proved beyond reasonable doubt that Godi murdered his wife Rehema Caesar.
The judge justified the sentence saying that the convict is a first time offender, aged 28 with two children and other dependants he looks after.
He said Godi’s family would suffer the consequence of the sentence if he gave him a stiff penalty.
The MP clad in a black suit, pink shirt and necktie sipped his bottle of water and tried to reach out to his defence lawyer as the Judge delivered the verdict.
Prosecution stated that Rehema was shot dead at Lukojja village in Mukono district on December 4, 2008.
Assessors advised the court to convict Godi, saying prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that he killed his wife, a claim Godi denied.
A total of 30 prosecution witnesses, including Rehema’s two sisters, testified. Other key witnesses included Robinah Kirinya, a ballistics expert, and Justus Mike Ocom, a forensics expert.
Kirinya, in her testimony, told court that the two bullet cartridges found at the murder scene came from the pistol owned by the MP, while Ocom said the soil sample got from Godi’s shoes was similar to that at the murder scene.
But Godi, in his defence, denied ownership of the shoes and told court that he accounted for all the bullets to the Police.
In her final submission, senior principal state attorney Joan Kagezi said there was overwhelming circumstantial evidence to prove that Godi participated in the murder of his wife on December 4, 2008.
Who is Godi?
Godi (28) was a first-year student at the Kampala International University when he became Arua Municipality (FDC) MP in 2006.
He now holds a Law degree, according to the posting on the Parliamentary website. Godi who hails from Yumbe, married Rehema then a secondary school student, in December 2007.
But before their marriage, Rehema’s brother, Nasur Kafu, had filed a defilement case against Godi at the Arua Police Station, saying Rehema was 17 years. Godi insisted Rehema was 18 years and the case did not take off.
Godi quickly announced the wedding plans in September 2007. Rehema’s relatives say that the marriage was on the rocks soon after because Godi suspected her of infidelity.
He defended his action by saying; “Time comes when you have to make a decision in your life,†in an interview with The New Vision over the controversy over his relationship with Rehema. “I want to marry to end the prejudice against me of being called young.†His colleagues, he said, referred to him as a “childâ€.
After Rehema’s murder, Godi was suspected, but he could not be traced. But Arua District Police Chief said Godi called him on a concealed number and told him he had heard about his wife’s murder in Mukono. The DPC advised him to hand himself over to the Police immediately
“He claimed to be calling from Kampala although he was sighted in Arua on Monday driving in the town,†Salube added.