Septic tank murder: Onebe trial deferred to November 13

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The hearing of a case in which businessman Francis Onebe is accused of killing his wife was on Wednesday (October 23, 2024), postponed to November 13, 2024, due to the absentia of the trial judge.

Trial judge Michael Elubu, the head of the High Court's criminal division, is currently presiding over Thomas Kwoyelo's ongoing trial.

Onebe, 63, an accountant by profession, is accused of killing his wife, Immaculate Mary Blessing Aiso, and later dumping her body in a septic tank. The offence of murder elicits a maximum sentence of death, on conviction.

The businessman together with his security, guard Bonny Oriekot, 26, have spent over two years on remand at Luzira Prison after being denied bail twice.

Onebe is being represented by defence lawyers Patrick Kasamba, David Oluka and Joshua Emorut, while the state by Principal State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo and Chief State Attorney Sharifah Nalwanga.

Background

On January 6, 2021, Onebe reported a case of his missing wife at Buziga Police post and investigations commenced. He claimed that his wife was picked up by plaincloths operatives travelling in a ‘drone’ and taken to an unknown destination.

A week later, her body was recovered from a septic tank at the couple’s residence by the joint security team headed by the Crime Investigation Department of the Police Force.

Police preliminary investigations reveal that Onebe and wife, Aiso, parted ways and after 14 years, reunited and formally married until her murder.

Following the Police probe, Onebe was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife before Makindye Chief Magistrates Court and later committed to the High Court for trial after the completion of investigations.

He is battling murder charges together with Bonny Oriekot, 26, a security guard attached to Pentagon Security.

In the committal papers, the Director of Public Prosecutions reveals that Onebe and Aiso had a dispute over sorcery, resulting in the death of his wife.