Sheik Sadiq Mustapha Sabiti, the Muslim leader for Elegu border town in Atiak Sub County, Amuru district has finally been transferred to South Sudan’s capital Juba for face trial on charges related to terrorism.
According to South Sudanese officials, Sheik Sabiti was transferred last Friday after his arrest on July 17, 2015 at the Nimule border town, 4KMs from the common border between the two countries.
Since his arrest on Idd Day, Sabiti was being held at a military barracks in Nimule town.
His family members who visited him late last month said his health was very poor and has resorted to hunger strike demanding for an explanation on why he was being detained without being produced before the courts of law.
Mr Morwal Mager Majur, the Minister Plenipotentiary at South Sudan Embassy in Kampala, confirmed on Monday in a telephone interview that Sheik Sabiti has been transferred to the capital as investigations into the matter continue.
Majur says the trial will now kick off soon adding that the Sheik is in good hands.
According to Majur, if Sabiti is found innocent, he (Sabiti) is likely to be released but if he has a case to answer, then he will have to be released without any condition.
However the Minister declined to discuss the details of the offence saying he does not have any briefs from the security officials.
The Acholi Chief Khad, Sheikh Musa Khalil says Sabiti was a victim of circumstance.
Khalil explained, “On that fateful day, Sabiti was sleeping in a house of a Muslim leader who is a South Sudanese national. Unfortunately the house was under military surveillance for a long time leading to the arrest of Sabiti and another Sheikh.”
He adds that on the night of July 16, 2015, the army surrounded the home before arresting the pair and later taking them to police.
But when police turned the military away, they were driven to one of the military barracks before being questioned for unclear reasons.
The Kilak County Member of Parliament (MP), mr Gilbert Olanya said he will raise the matter in Parliament if the South Sudanese officials at the Uganda’s Embassy do not intervene.
MP Olanya said it is absurd and faulted the South Sudan security for trumping up charges against Sabiti after his family failed to raise a ransom of 5,000 South Sudanese Pounds to have him released.
He says Sabiti was well known to security officials at the border and his arrest is a surprise considering his status as a Messenger of Allah.
Mr Kaps Hassan Fungaroo, the MP Obongi County in Moyo district also called for his immediate release from custody so that he can reunite with members of his family.
