Torit, South Sudan,
June 01, 2021 – A court in Eastern Equatoria State has handed jail sentences to men convicted for murdering their wives over failure to prepare meals.
Michael Oheda (34), killed his wife Elizabeth Ikiya in Magwi County in December 2020. Eye Radio reported Oheda beat the wife to death after she refused to cook for six days.
The convict will serve a sentence of three years on the crime of murdering his 24-year-old wife who left three children.
Another similar incident happened in Imurok village in Torit County in March. It involves a case in which Albert Amon Atto (49), violently attacked and killed his 25-year-old wife Regina Ibwaha.
Eastern Equatoria High Court Prosecutors said the two were drinking before the incident took place. Atto attacked Ibwaha with a machete and killed her on the spot after she declined to prepare supper. The couple survived two children.
The convict will serve four years in prison according to the verdict pronounced by the High Court in Torit.
A report seen by Nyamilepedia says the family demanded a lighter sentence because of children after the court judge Obaj Denyong asked the families to decide whether to ask for compensation, the maximum sentence, or pardon.
“For the sake of the children and public interest, the court sentenced the first convict to three years in prison and the second man to a term of four years,” Judge Obaj Anyang was quoted by Eye Radio to have.
The South Sudan Penal Code 2008 states that whoever causes the death of another person commits the offense of murder, and upon conviction be sentenced to death or imprisonment for life, and may also be liable to a fine.
However, it also allows the deceased’s “nearest relatives” to opt for customary blood compensation.
This grants the court the power to reduce the death sentence to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.
