Soroti Acid Attack Suspect Fails to Appear in Court

Andrew Francis Obirai, the man suspected of attacking his estranged lover with acid, failed to appear in court on Thursday.

Obirai was to appear in the Chief Magistrates court presided over by Baker Rwatooro.

The prison warden present told the packed court that Obirai is sick.

Joseph Outeke, the OC prisons, Soroti, when contacted, he confirmed saying that, Obirai is sick but he did not disclose the illness.

Rwatooro adjourned the case to Monday, March 17 when the suspect is expected to appear.

Both Obirai and his lawyer were not present in court. This is the third time Obirai’s lawyer fails to turn up in court.

Obirai is accused of attacking Dorothy Atim (30) using acid on September 8th 2013 at their home in senior quarters in Soroti town.

Atim was rushed to Mulago hospital, Kampala, in critical condition. She died February 28, after spending six month in Ward 2C where she was admitted.

Obirai, the man suspected to have carried out the attack, handed himself to police in Soroti district in October 2013.

He is still on remand at Soroti Government Prison after being charged with attempted murder.

Many curious members of the public who had turned up at the court expressed disappointment at Obirai’s no show.
Tony Otim, who claims to have studied with Obirai in Teso College ten years ago, said he had come to the court to ascertain for himself that this was the same man. Tony Otim is a resident of Kichinjaji ward, Northern Division.