Ex-Kotido chief gets 42 years for murder
Sep 05, 2011
The former Kotido district chairman and three accomplices were on Saturday convicted of murder. Justice Margaret Oguli Oumo sentenced Paul Lomanio to 42 years in prison for participating in the murder of Cephas Aleper, a political rival.
By Olandason Wanyama
The former Kotido district chairman and three accomplices were on Saturday convicted of murder. Justice Margaret Oguli Oumo sentenced Paul Lomanio to 42 years in prison for participating in the murder of Cephas Aleper, a political rival.
Aleper, who was a district youth councillor, had planned to contest as district chairman in the 2011 elections. Lomanio’s accomplices were Phillip Lochap, Phillip Lodio and Adon Lomapus.
Lochap was sentenced to 45 years, Lodio, who negotiated the deal to execute the mission at sh1.5m, was jailed for 30 years.
Lomapus was sentenced to 20 years for participating in the killing. Court heard that on January 24, 2010 at Panyangara Bridge, the accused shot Aleper dead.
Aleper was riding a motorbike towards Kotido town in the company of Judith Napeyok. Napeyok sustained serious injuries on her right arm due to the bullets.
“I am satisfied that prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that Aleper’s death was unlawful,†the judge told court. Resident State Attorney Thomas Jatiko asked court to pass a severe and deterring sentence.
He argued that murder was a serious offence that attracts a maximum sentence of death. Jatiko said the life of a person should not be wasted, saying the deceased left a wife and children who are now suffering.
However, defence lawyer Samuel Isodo asked court to handout a lenient sentence. He said the accused were first offenders, adding: “All men fall down.â€
Isodo asked court not to pass a destructive sentence in order to allow the accused to reform.
“I know this court has been full of emotions, but my lord do not succumb to that,†he pleaded.
Delivering the sentence, Oumo said she had reviewed the statements of the accused and prosecution.
She added that Lomanio was a leader who should have acted as a role model in dealing with his opponents.
The former Kotido district chairman and three accomplices were on Saturday convicted of murder. Justice Margaret Oguli Oumo sentenced Paul Lomanio to 42 years in prison for participating in the murder of Cephas Aleper, a political rival.
Aleper, who was a district youth councillor, had planned to contest as district chairman in the 2011 elections. Lomanio’s accomplices were Phillip Lochap, Phillip Lodio and Adon Lomapus.
Lochap was sentenced to 45 years, Lodio, who negotiated the deal to execute the mission at sh1.5m, was jailed for 30 years.
Lomapus was sentenced to 20 years for participating in the killing. Court heard that on January 24, 2010 at Panyangara Bridge, the accused shot Aleper dead.
Aleper was riding a motorbike towards Kotido town in the company of Judith Napeyok. Napeyok sustained serious injuries on her right arm due to the bullets.
“I am satisfied that prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that Aleper’s death was unlawful,†the judge told court. Resident State Attorney Thomas Jatiko asked court to pass a severe and deterring sentence.
He argued that murder was a serious offence that attracts a maximum sentence of death. Jatiko said the life of a person should not be wasted, saying the deceased left a wife and children who are now suffering.
However, defence lawyer Samuel Isodo asked court to handout a lenient sentence. He said the accused were first offenders, adding: “All men fall down.â€
Isodo asked court not to pass a destructive sentence in order to allow the accused to reform.
“I know this court has been full of emotions, but my lord do not succumb to that,†he pleaded.
Delivering the sentence, Oumo said she had reviewed the statements of the accused and prosecution.
She added that Lomanio was a leader who should have acted as a role model in dealing with his opponents.