Abok LCIII chairperson released on police bond over libel allegation

4 March 2025, 8:34 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Phillips Ogile Jakayo, the Abok LCIII Chairperson and NRM Publicity Secretary for Oyam District, was arrested and detained at Oyam Central Police Station on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, over an alleged libel crime.

Ogile is accused of falsely alleging that Jane Frances Acilo, an aspiring candidate for Oyam Woman Member of Parliament, kidnapped and killed Ojok Julious, alias Ojok Adidit, a resident of Arwot Ongo village in Juma parish, Myene subcounty, Oyam district.

Reports indicate that on February 18, Ogile used his phone to post on various social media platforms, claiming that Acilo had arrested Ojok in 2018 and subsequently killed him.

Acilo reported the case to Oyam Central Police Station, prompting an investigation into the alleged libel. Police summoned Ogile to the district CID office to record his statement, where he was arrested. He was later released on police bond after his surety, Geoffrey Okec, the Director of Oyam Parents Primary School in Oyam town council, provided the necessary documents for his release.

According to a police officer who preferred to remain anonymous, investigations into the matter are ongoing, and Ogile is expected to be produced in court soon to answer the charges against him. Additionally, the police confiscated his mobile phone to trace communications that may reveal the extent of the alleged offense.

When contacted for a comment after his release, Ogile denied the allegations and reiterated his commitment to seeking justice for Ojok Julious, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Ogile also suggested that a dialogue with Acilo would be a better resolution than taking the matter to court.

The libel case against Ogile is filed under CRB 135/2025 at Oyam Central Police Station, pending further investigation. His case file is expected to be forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for legal advice.

This is not the first time Ogile has faced criminal charges. Recently, issues of Lango cultural fights arose against him, leading to his two-week remand in jail.