Adoko was arrested last week after a discussion on a radio talk show in which he accused Ematu of using his official vehicle to transport thugs, and persons who deal in counterfeits and offering protection to wrong people. He has been in detention for five days.
Leaders of Civil Society Organizations are calling for the unconditional release of Michael Adoko, a Lira based activist, arrested for allegedly defaming North Kyoga Regional Police Commander John Peter Ematu.
Adoko was arrested last week after a discussion on a radio talk show in which he accused Ematu of using his official vehicle to transport thugs, and persons who deal in counterfeits and offering protection to wrong people. He has been in detention for five days.
Civil society organizations are now saying that his continued detention is unconstitutional since he has long gone past the 48-hours in which detention without trial is permitted. According to Morris Chris Ongom, the executive director of GLOFORD Uganda, one of the organizations based in Northern Uganda, Adoko should either be released or produced in court.
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Innocent Omara, a Lira-Based human rights lawyer condemned Adoko's continued detention saying that police should have first investigated the matter before arresting him. Omara told URN he was engaging the regional police authority to consider releasing Adoko or else he will petition the courts of law.
North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson David Ongom Mudong confirmed Adoko is still being held at Lira CPS pending the return of his file from the Resident State Attorney. Ongom explained that police were unable to release Adoko since the matter is very sensitive in nature.
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But Adoko says he has overwhelming evidence pinning the RPC for aiding criminality. This is not the first time that Ematu is accused of aiding crime and protecting criminals.
In late 2017, Joseph Omongo, a suspected robber who had escaped from Lira Central Prison also revealed that he and members of his network had enjoyed protection by the RPC. Omongo who was later re-arrested by the police under the command of Lira DPC Joel Tubanone further confirmed to police how he had closely worked with Ematu. He died in Prison.
In March 2018, Denis Okello, a local security informant in Lira district also accused Ematu and other senior police commanders of protecting criminals. Okello was later arrested and accused jointly with Lira DPC Tubanone of threatening violence against a resident of Akia village.
He was later remanded to Lira Central Government Prison while DPC Tubanone was subsequently reported to Police Standard Unit for further investigation.
Ronald Odongo
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