Court rejects appeal on defilement

May 13, 2007

THE Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal by a man who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for defiling his seven-year-old-niece on December 6, 2002.

By Hillary Nsambu

THE Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal by a man who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for defiling his seven-year-old-niece on December 6, 2002.

John Okodi of Omuroka village in Pallisa district had asked court to cancel the sentence on the grounds that he pleaded guilty to the offence.

However justices Alice Mpagi-Bahigeine, Christine Binayiisa Kitumba and Constance Kategaya Byamugisha said the appeal was unmerited.

They concurred with the Principle State Attorney, Vincent Okwonga, that Okodi’s admission of the charge before the local council officials and apologising to the victim’s mother upon arrest, was enough to corroborate the minor’s testimony before court.

The court said it was unable to fault the trial judge, Faith Mwondha, who convicted Okodi at Mbale High Court in 2002.

“We find that there was sufficient evidence to incriminate the offender and his appeal is accordingly dismissed,” the judges ruled.

Court heard that the accused defiled the victim at a well.

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