By Ngor Deng Matem
Three Sudanese businessmen in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state appeared in high court yesterday (23rd May 2022) to answer charges of rape case that resulted to the death of 6-year-old girl.
On the 3rd May 2022, a 6-year-old girl was raped, killed and dumped in a pit latrine in Aweil and three suspects were arrested.
On Monday 23rd May 2022, hundreds of citizens turned out to witness the first court session conducted publicly in Aweil town.
The court hearing started at 9AM and ended at 4PM.
According to Gabriel Koc Lual, one of the people who attended the court session, there were 12 lawyers on the side of the complainant and one defense lawyer on the side of the accused.
During the court session in the room, the police investigator read out the findings of the investigation.
The investigator announced the articles in which the suspects have been charged with, and these include; article 206, 247, 248, 240 and 48 Penal Code of South Sudan Transitional Constitution of 2008.
The President of high court of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state Abraham Majur Lat was the presiding judge.
Presiding Judge Abraham said that the ruling of the rape case shall be concluded this week.
Many people have shown interest to listen to the court ruling, as a result the ruling was made public. Sound or public address system was put up in the court premises to enable the attendees listen to the proceedings.
The courtroom and compound were full of people. Those who attended the hearing include top government officials as security was tightly placed to protect the proceeding.
The next hearing is taking place today, the 24th May 2022. Eyewitnesses are expected to give their testimonies