Gulu Grade One magistrate Christine Turibamwe has dropped the assault case against former Aruu County MP Samuel Odonga Otto. 

On March 30, 2021, Geoffrey Okot, a journalist with Choice FM in Gulu dragged Otto to court on charges of assault and causing him bodily harm contrary to Section 236 of the Penal Code Act. 

According to prosecution, Otto allegedly committed the offense on June 16, 2019, at Pece Stadium in Gulu city during the FUFA Drum encounter between Acholi and West Nile Provinces. Otto pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the beginning of this month, while appearing in court, Otto asked the court to permit him to settle the matter with the complainant outside court other than going to full trial. Okot agreed to the proposal for an out-of-court settlement but asked for time to consult his lawyers, which was granted by court.

Appearing in court yesterday Thursday, Okot asked the court to drop the case. He explained that he had agreed with Otto to settle the matter out of court. He also said that he and Otto had since reconciled. 

Turibamwe then closed the case but asked Okot to write an additional statement indicating that he has lost interest in the case and that the additional statement shall be acknowledged by the prosecution.

According to Section 236 of the Penal Code Act, any person who commits an assault occasioning actual bodily harm commits a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for five years.