Court permits Odonga Otto, journalist to negotiate settlement

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Gulu Grade One Magistrate, Christine Turibamwe has allowed the Aruu County legislator, Odonga Otto to negotiate an out of court settlement with a journalist accusing him of assault. 

On March 30th, 2021, Geoffrey Okot, a journalist with Choice FM in Gulu dragged the legislator to court on charges of assault and causing him bodily harm contrary to Section 236 of the Penal Code Act.

According to the prosecution, Otto allegedly committed the offence on June 16th, 2019 at Pece Stadium in Gulu City during the FUFA Drum encounter between Acholi and West Nile Provinces. Otto pleaded not guilty to the charge.

While appearing in court on Wednesday, Otto asked the court to permit him to settle the matter with the complainant outside court other going to full trial. Okot agreed to the proposal for an out of court settlement but asked for time to consult his lawyers, which was granted.

Turibamwe adjourned the matter to May 20th, 2021 when the two parties will report back to court about the progress of their talks. According to Section 236 of the Penal Code Act, any person who commits an assault occasioning actual bodily harm commits a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for five years.

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