By Our Reporter
SOROTI - The High Court in Soroti has today acquitted Headteacher James Edoket, Cook Valentine Opio and Matron Osula Adong in the murder case involving 5-year-old Joan Faith Apio, a pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School.
Joan was found dead at the school on February 5, 2025, in a case that has attracted significant public attention across Soroti and the wider Teso sub-region.
The case involved six accused persons: former school director Joseph Okedi, his wife Suzan Vivian Ariokot Okedi, Headteacher James Edoket, police intelligence officer John Bosco Obotol, Cook Valentine Opio, and Matron Osula Adong.
In today's proceedings, the court found that the prosecution had failed to sufficiently establish the participation or common intention of Edoket, Opio and Adong in the murder, leading to their acquittal.
The court has, however, not yet delivered its final decision on the remaining three accused Joseph Okedi, Suzan Vivian Ariokot Okedi and John Bosco Obotol. The proceedings are continuing, with court having broken for a short break.
The court is expected to resume later, when further proceedings in the case will take place.
The judgment is being closely followed by Joan's family, the school community and members of the public who have been seeking answers and justice since the young pupil's death.
More updates will follow as the proceedings continue at Soroti High Court.
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