Juba High Court on Thursday ordered Luri Payam administration to pay blood compensation to the family of a street vendor who was shot dead in Kubri Haboba in 2022.
Chier Ajou Akot, a young businessman, was killed by a member of the organized forces in the riots that occurred in July last year.
He was fatally shot during a police operation to evict vendors and traders selling on the edges of the bridge.
Several police officers fired shots in the incident but Frazer Justin – one of the policemen assigned to the Luri Payam, was accused in the killing.
Testifying to the court, the Luri Payam authorities said the police officers were on an official mission.
In the final court session on Thursday, presiding Judge Garang Ajak said the blood compensation verdict was taken because the investigation could not determine who exactly was responsible for the murder.
According to the deceased’s customary law, the blood compensation is 31 cows.
On his part, the Public Prosecutor Augustino Obang Kur, denied that there were riots on the day of the shooting.
Obang admitted that there were shortcomings in the investigations, adding that three investigators in the case were replaced due to negligence.
“The court held Lori county authority responsible for the incident and obliged them to pay blood compensation according to the deceased’s customary law. For us, there was a shortcoming in the investigation,” Obang told Eye radio after the session.
The Prosecutor said the last investigator arrived at the crime scene 19 days after the incident.
According to him, the investigator was supposed to arrive on the same day of his assignment.
“The investigators were accused of not doing their job properly. Regarding the verdict, we did not lose it because the accused was carrying out his official duty, which was issued by a competent authority.”
“However, the riot that occurred, which caused shooting by the force, was proven by the defense testimony but if someone has died, blood compensation must be paid.”
Prosecutor Augustino further said they will appeal against the verdict.
On his part, the defendants’ lawyer Warnyang Kir Warnyang expressed satisfaction with the ruling and says it was fair.
“As for my defense, I see that the court’s decision was fair and equitable for both parties,” he told Eye Radio.
“The reason for today’s ruling is that the accusation is widespread, so all the forces present in the place opened fire.”
“The plaintiff’s side denied that demonstrations took place and that shots were fired, and this was approved by the defense through witnesses the court ordered Luri Payam to pay the blood compensation because the force belong to the Payam and they were on an official mission where the man died.”