Justice Vincent Okwanga, the Gulu resident High Court judge has rejected a bail application filed by one of the key suspects in the murder of Andrew Rachkara, the Gulu University don murdered in 2014.
Through his lawyer, Ocaka, 35, has filed a bail application at the Gulu high court seeking to gain a temporary freedom under artcle 23 (6) (a) of the constitution and section 14 (i) and 15 of the trial and indictment act.
In his affidavits filed by his lawyer Michael Okot Obalo on April 9, 2015, Ocaka implored court that he is a person of good character and as per the law; he is innocent until proven guilty.
Ocaka also says the case he was charged with was brought against him in bad faith. Ocaka further notes that he has a right to bail.
Ocaka produced two sureties, all are his close relatives.
However William Bayo, the State Prosecution in the case brought against Ocaka told court that the suspect’s conduct was questionable since he was arrested while trying to flee into another country after commission of the alleged offence.
Bayo also argues that Ocaka is a prime suspect in the murder case and he is likely to abscond if released on bail.
According to Bayo, Ocaka, a special hire taxi driver was arrested with two guns, 33 million shillings and a vehicle at the border point after the gruesome murder of Rachkara.
The 33 million shilling and vehicle, a Toyota Noah belongs to the deceased.
In his ruling on the bail application that was delivered on Thursday, Justice Okwanga declined to grant bail to Ocaka saying the hearing into the murder case against the suspect has already opened.
Without going into further detail, the Judge said since Ocaka had heard the evidence brought against him by the prosecution, it is likely that he may abscond and jump bail. The judge ruled that there was no merit in Ocaka’s bail application. The judge accordingly remanded him until the next high court session.
Rachkara, a lecturer with the department of business and development studies was shot and killed in June 2014 at his home in Pece Division, Gulu Municipality. Ocaka is one of the suspects in the murder. Others include Geoffrey Okello, Majid Altan Ojera and Rogers Opiyo, the 23 year old man accused of shooting Rachkara twice on the chest.
