Lakes state governor: Rumbek High Court judge to lose seat over pregnancy sentencing
By Manyang Mayom
April 15, 2011 (RUMBEK) – The Governor of Lakes state Chol Tong Mayay has affirmed that the state’s High Court judge Geri Raimondo Legge will lose he seat in this week after months of protests over his interpretation of laws relating to sex before marriage and underage sex.
Mayay said that efforts to replace Raimondo were made through the Juba Supreme Court’s chief justice John Wol Makec.
The governor said that decision to replace Raimondo was taken due to the manner in which he has sentenced young men to jail without allowing them to properly defend themselves.
Youth groups have put pressure on Lakes state governor, state parliament and state minister of legal affairs to contact Juba to find a replacement for Raimondo.
The judge appointed to replace Raimondo has not been announced but Raimondo is reported to have already left Lakes state High Court.
Sources told Sudan Tribune that Judge Alaha has been asked to review all cases of men who have been sentenced for impregnating girls. He has also been tasked with carrying out investigation into the clashes in Cueibet and Akot last year between the army and civilians in the area.
Over 60 young men are in Lakes state’s main correctional prison for having sex with girls under 16.
The outgoing judge Raimondo used the Child Act 2008, Penal Code 2008 and Lakes state customary law to sentence the young men. However, opponents to the sentencing say that Raimondo did not use the laws correctly and did not consider cultural norms.
Protestors say that in Dinka culture a girl is of marrying age when she starts menstruating. For sometime Lakes state governor has been criticized by youth groups for having let down young people due to what they describe as unlawful arrests.
However, Judge Raimondo has said that having sex with underage girls is a crime and the law has to be implemented.
Governor Mayay has said that the rulings of Rumbek High Court do not meet “international justice standards” and has appealed to Lakes state’s youth to remain claim until situation is resolved diplomatically.
Meanwhile, Lakes state speaker John Marik Makur, said that Rumbek High Court is not applying the original customary law that was passed by Lakes state lawmakers, he criticized the High Court judge for having overlooked Dinka culture and customary law.
Raimondo said that he is not applying one law but he is using all laws of Southern Sudan including Lakes state customary law.
(ST)
Dinka Dominated SPLA
Lakes state governor: Rumbek High Court judge to lose seat over pregnancy sentencing
laws are about to follow thank God
Shadrack Nuer Machut
Lakes state governor: Rumbek High Court judge to lose seat over pregnancy sentencing
Bravo Dear Chol Tong Mayai!
This is a very great acheivement ever due to the much concern over the issues pertaining to life improvement of the youngsters in Lakes State.
I’m very appreciative for this crucial change if it’s going to be effective as well as possible.
The judge Geri has been against the rules & regulations of the local tribe as well as Dinka is concerned. We shall be more hopeful in the leadership of State level than central gov’t if this change becomes true.
Go on Mayai Go on!!!!
The relationship among the communities isn’t like those studies from the Western World, and if we follow such influences then, we’re aimlessly misled by wrong historical studies.
Thank U.
Mading
Lakes state governor: Rumbek High Court judge to lose seat over pregnancy sentencing
I partly appreciate the State government for eliminating that element who joined hands with owners of the girls to punish youth. Punishing someone who has defiled a real underage girl is not bad but there has been circumstances where girls beyond 30 years were also made young and this judge could not understand the reason behind the parents minds.
I however, still feel sad if these 60 young men are not totally release except those with major crimes.
Akech
Lakes state governor: Rumbek High Court judge to lose seat over pregnancy sentencing
Dear our brothers in lake state,
I personally was surprise with laws in lake because every law have its souce but I was not understanding where the laws of lake state came. Any thing concerning pregnancy can done by sub-ship not even ship unlse there is digreement with two patrties of boy and the girl this ship can appear but not just you pregnanced the girl then 15 years in perisonment.
what of one somebody who kill someone how you pushing him?
Secondly you can pregnance girl because you have enouge cows to go direct to their parents so use that way or don’t have time for three to months so that girl can be handover to you by parents, It’s a short of marriage but this judge I don’t whether is from America or Khartoum?
Make more effort change him out of culturial interperences.
Thanks, Akech Garang
Dr.Lologo
Lakes state governor: Rumbek High Court judge to lose seat over pregnancy sentencing
How can we eliminates tribalism if all of you are saying good job governor? Is this governor is the not the one that signed the law that brought all those messes?
Dinkas, sometime accept the truth, the law of dinka like the babels in their faces and that is the fact. Today Southern Sudan is mess because of Dinka greedy of power. I am Dinka but i hate the way my fellows dinka are doing, they humiliates the entire Southern Sudan.
Lo-Margarita
Lakes state governor: Rumbek High Court judge to lose seat over pregnancy sentencing
It is Official,.”No Virgins in Jenge Land” as even the authorities do allow promoting sex to underage girls. By removing the judge, what good will it do but create more evil in the community. We now officially have a new breed of Paedophiles in Lakes state, awaiting release. Well done JoSS and LSG!