State appoints new lawyers for former LRA rebel Kwoyelo
Gulu.
The State has appointed two new defence lawyers to handle the pre-trial hearings of jailed former Lord’s Resistance Army rebel Thomas Kwoyelo, who is facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Crimes Division of the High Court (ICD).
This follows failure by Mr Kwoyelo’s privately appointed defence lawyers Nicholas Opiyo and Caleb Alaka, to appear for his pre-trial hearing at the Gulu High Court before Justice Suzan Okalany on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
Presiding Judge Okalany on Monday suggested appointment of two new defence lawyers for Mr Kwoyelo to enable the pre-trial hearing kick off fast but the latter rejected it, saying his defence lawyers knew best his case.
On Tuesday, Mr Charles Dalton Opwonya of Opwonya and Co Advocates, who was chosen by Kwoyelo, and Mr Geoffrey Anyuru of Odongo and Co Advocates, who was chosen by the State, were unveiled in court as defence lawyers who will represent Kwoyelo.
Justice Okalany said the new lawyers will be an addition to the already existing ones representing the former rebel, adding that both [Opiyo and Alaka ] are still free to work with them. Justice Okalany noted that court had served Mr Kwoyelo’s defence lawyers with notice of the pre-trial hearing date, time and venue yet they failed to show up or give formal reasons why they didn’t turn up in court.
Mr Kwoyelo, who was asked whether he was comfortable with his new defence team, told Justice Okalany he had also previously known Mr Opwonya and was fine dealing with him on the legal processes.
The prosecution team led by Charles Kamuli submitted an amended charge sheet introducing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) crimes to the indictment.
The defence team, however, appealed to court for more time to prepare for the pretrial given that they are newly appointed. Justice Okalany agreed with the submission and adjourned the pretrial hearing to September 21.
Asked why he did not show up in court, Mr Opiyo said he was served late and couldn’t travel to Gulu District on a short notice.
