Eight murder suspects released due to lack of evidence

LIRA- Eight suspects were on Tuesday set free after a state prosecutor acknowledged lack of evidence tying them to the death of an Information Communication Technology specialist, William Otile.
The suspects were released almost the day when the deceased’s relatives were demonstrating in Lira Town in an attempt to seek justice for their dead son.

The suspects had been remanded to Lira Main Prison since April, when the state asked court to hold them until a criminal complaint was completed. Court at that time ruled that there was sufficient ground to hold them in prison.
The suspects were arrested after the 29-year-old man was found dead at his home at Kichope, Ojwina Division in Lira Municipality on April 13, 2016.

The deceased was working with an internet service provider – Zoom Wireless – in Lira Town.
Prosecutors told court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised them to withdraw the case due to insufficient evidence to pin the suspects.

Lira Grade 1 Magistrate, Ms Susan Aledo, then released the suspects citing lack of substantial evidence to commit the suspects to the High Court for trial.

On Monday afternoon, the deceased’s relatives staged a demonstration protesting what they called “delayed justice.”
The group of eight women carried placards as they marched from Akii -Bua Stadium through the court premises via Lira Mayor’s Garden.

A contingent of police officers intercepted the group and confiscated their placards.
Ms Margrate Otile, a family member, said after the verdict: “We don’t have money to bribe people. We are calling on the government and civil society organisation to come and help us”.