Rumbek court sentences government official to two years in prison

May 18, 2013 (JUBA) – Rumbek county court on Friday sentenced a government official to two years in prison for assaulting a reporter for South Sudan Television (SSTV) and threatening him with pistol in the Lakes state capital.

Johnson Poth Matur Akech, also well-known as Poth Johnson Matur Akech, came under attack on 21 April after a heated exchange of words with the acting director of the state-owned Radio FM-98.

Peter Maliap Chieng denied attacking Poth with a pistol during the altercation.
Speaking during Maliep’s sentencing hearing on Friday, judge Santo Yuhana Yuggu said the two-year jail term was in line with South Sudan’s criminal code under sections 226 and 249.

Poth welcomed the court’s decision, saying he had feared for his life after being threatened at gunpoint.

The reporter added that he felt justice had been served, although the judge did not impose a full sentence.

This is the first time that Rumbek county court has sentenced a government official to jail.

(ST)