A Mobile Court began the trial of four police officers accused of shooting civilian last year in Juba.
In June 2021, policemen stormed the courtroom, disrupted the session, killed one person, and injured six others at B. Court at the nation capital Juba. Their motive was unclear but authorities arrested the culprit.
The prosecutor of Mobile Court, Judge Emmanual Loro, hears from the complainant’s advocate to collect evidence.
Advocate Godfrey Victor Bulla representing the complainant says he applied to the court for the accused to be transferred to the central prison.
According to the lawyer, the accused were detained in Police custody which he said is not lawful for a murder case under section 206 of the penal code.
“We submitted an application asking the court for the arrest of these active police officers to be detained in the prison waiting for trial,” Advocate Bulla stated.
The mobile court prosecutor accepted the letter of the complainant’s lawyer for the arrest of the accused police officers and the police cadres were arrested and sent to prison.
The Court has given a chance for the accused officers to have a defense lawyer under law as stipulated in Article 19 of bill rights that, everyone has the right to defend and to be defended before the court.
Advocate Godfrey Victor Bulla welcomed that Court’s decision and encouraged the accused to be availed with a lawyer for the full application of the law and also ensured that justice prevails.
Advocate Godfrey said, “We, as the prosecuting advocates in the private rights, also encourage that, the accused be availed with an advocate so that the process of trial is in accordance to the law.
The court was adjourned until 8th September for the next hearing.