Court of Appeal quashes teenager's death sentence

A human rights lawyer has welcomed a decision by the Court of Appeal to overturn the death sentence of a teenage boy. 

 

Magai Matiop Ngong, who was accused of killing his cousin, was sentenced to death in 2017. The court cancelled the death penalty on Wednesday on grounds that he was a child at the time of the crime, which is contrary to the Child Act and international laws. 

 

The verdict of the court has been welcomed by human rights groups and pro-life campaigners.  

Human rights watchdog Amnesty International is one of several human rights groups and pro-life campaigners that have welcomed the court’s decision. 

 

Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, Deprose Muchena said in a statement that the South Sudanese government must fully comply with the country’s and international law and abolish the death penalty.

 

Magai’s lawyer and human rights advocate, Godfrey Victor Bulla, says the overturn is a milestone for the country.

 

Advocate Bulla spoke to Radio Miraya in this 6” interview.