EES Parliamentarian Accused Of Instigating Tribal Animosity The Eastern Equatoria State (EES) Parliamentary Inquiry Committee’s Chairperson Tobiolo Alberio Oromo has revealed to Gurtong that investigations are underway to prove allegations labelled against Hon. Offis Asada over instigating ethnic tensions and cattle raids in his constituency

28 September 2011 Hon. Ofis Asada (wearing spectacles) briefing the Governor in his office during a past meeting [©Gurtong] By Peter Lokale Nakimangole TORIT 28th September 2011 [Gurtong] – The Eastern Equatoria State (EES) Parliamentary Inquiry Committee’s Chairperson Tobiolo Alberio Oromo has revealed to Gurtong that investigations are underway to prove allegations labelled against Hon. Offis Asada over instigating ethnic tensions and cattle raids in his constituency. The move follows a petition from Asada’s constituency number 03 (Torit North East), comprising of the Hiyala and Bur Payams addressed to the State Governor through the State Legislative Speaker, accusing Hon. Offis Asada of instigating enmity among communities within the constituency. Following the petition against the honourable member and after wide consultations, the State Governor with his cabinet and the Legislature finally agreed to have Asada be investigated by the Parliamentary committee constituted by the Speaker in consultation with the Governor. The Governor wrote a letter dated 22/08/2011 to the speaker empowering him to carry out an in-house inquiry through the Parliamentary Committee. The constituency petition states that Mr. Asada; 1.Was the mastermind behind the sabotage of Bur’s flag being hoisted at its headquarters, 2.Instigated Loronyo Boma to fight Loudo so that flag hoisting at Bur Payam be hindered completely. 3.Was an accomplice in the recent raiding of 25 cows at Loudo by Loronyo criminals 4.Involved in the ongoing conflicts between the people of Imurok and Nyong Payams respectively, 5.Involved in refuelling misunderstandings between the people of Mura-Hatiha and Tiriangore The Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly (EESLA) Speaker, Right Hon. Emmanuel Ambrose Ocholimoi wrote a letter dated 08/09/2011 number RRS/EESLA/T/1.A.1 in which he constituted the 7-Member Parliamentary committee and stated that ‘the committee is mandated by Assembly Business Committee (ABC) to investigate any other allegations deemed necessary against the embattled honourable Asada’ The seven members to the ongoing investigation committee are Hon. Tobiolo Alberio Oromo, the chairperson deputized by Hon. Benjamin Lopeyok and Hon. Aventore Kenyi Bilal is the committee’s secretary with the following members; Hon. Elizabeth Adodo, Hon. Alma Thomas Maha, Hon. Anjela Ajana and Hon. Angelo Lomoi. Hon. Oromo who is also the EESLA’s Chief whip told Gurtong that since his committee was still receiving different petitions from various villages accusing Asada on different issues, the public will be updated accordingly as they are now busy studying and verifying witness reports. As part of reference, the committee is mandated to investigate witnesses of both parties and the Torit Commissioner will continue to assist the committee in obtaining any relevant information from the constituency especially from the villages mentioned. The Speaker commissioned the committee to submit its findings and recommendations to his office immediately as soon they complete the inquiry and thereafter, the Speaker will further present the report to ABC with supportive information then finally to the State Governor. In an interview with Gurtong, Hon. Asada claimed to be innocent since there was no reliable evidence. Asada was confident that his accusers from Bur had no documents attached to their petition to charge him of corruption. Hon. Offis Asada, an MP at EESLA, won the 2010 April election under the Independent ticket after losing parliamentary nominations to his present County Commissioner of Torit comrade Felix Otuduha Siro. After the elections results, the elected State Governor Loius Lobong Lojore appointed Felix Otuduha Siro to his present position as the County Commissioner. Posted in: Home

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