Samuel Odonga Otto, the Member of Parliament Aruu County in Pader district and Lucy Achiro Otim, the Aruu North MP-elect, have been charged in court with election related offences.
The two, with five co-accused, were charged with destruction of electoral materials, obstruction of election officer and incitement of violence.
Prosecution led by Kitgum Resident State Attorney Obale Innocent alleged that the accused committed the said offences on February 29th at Pader Police Station. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The other accused are: Achiro Christine, the LC3 councilor of Lunaa Acoro in Pader Town Council and Ajok Irene, 27, a businesswoman also from Lagwai, Pader Town Council.
Others are: Okot James, 36, resident of Te Laa Central village in Ogom sub-county in Pader district; Olanya Bosco, 34, a local businessman from Lagwai East village in Pader Town Council and Tookema Bosco, 37, resident of Lagwai East, Pader Town Council.
Odonga Otto was also separately charged with threatening violence. Court heard that the legislator “with intent to intimidate or annoy Kidega Nabinson James Nok, threatened to shoot him with a gun”.
The incident reportedly occurred at Pader Magistrate Court on February 29th. Otto pleaded not guilty.
The accused were represented by lawyers Anyuru Geoffrey from Odongo & Co advocates and Conrad Oloya from Legal Aid.
Chua West MP-elect, Okin P.P Ojara and his Nwoya counterpart Simon Oyet stood surety for Odonga Otto while Kilak MP Olanya Gilbert and Gulu LC5 chairman, Ojara Martin Mapenduzi stood surety for Achiro.
Kidega Nok, former Amuru RDC, had earlier challenged in court the outcome of the Aruu North constituency parliamentary elections, asking court to recount the votes.
The Electoral Commission declared Achiro the winner by only two votes.
A vote recount which was due to be presided over by Kitgum Chief Magistrate, Okongo Japyem, never took place as people said to be supporters of Achiro stormed Pader Police Station and destroyed four ballot boxes from among those meant to be recounted.
Grade One magistrate, Isaac Rukundo later granted a cash bail of 1m shillings each to Odonga Otto and Achiro Lucy.
He gave a non-cash bail of 3m shillings each their sureties.
Court adjourned the case to 25th May when the accused will appear before it for mention.
