The Lango Cultural Institution has rubbished the accusation and bribery allegations leveled against the presiding judge, Justice Phillip Odoki, calling them baseless and malicious.

This comes after the high court in Lira nullified the election of Moses Michael Odong-Okune as the Won-Nyaci me Lango (paramount chief) just a day before his coronation after a section of individuals from the Odong-Okune camp complained that the election was filled with illegalities, rendering it null and void.

In an open statement issued on October 4, 2024, the spokesperson of the Lango cultural institution, Jacob Ocen, said that such claims were not only deeply disrespectful to the esteemed judicial judge but also undermined the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

According to Ocen, the institution was highly concerned about the forged incriminating evidence circulating on social media indicating that Denis Okello, a member of Odong Okune’s group, was handing over a sum of UGX 30 million to the presiding judge, who later did not rule the judgment in their favor.

“In the recording, they threatened killing the judge by shooting. We are concerned, and we ask that the government investigates the matter,” he said.

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On behalf of the institution, Ocen defended Justice Odoki, saying he is committed to fulfilling his constitutional mandate of upholding justice, peace, and reconciliation.

The rival King aspirant, Dickson Ogwang Okul, was stopped from being the next Lango leader, and all powers reverted back to the paramount chief, Yosam Odur Ebii, until the installation of the elected successor, Odong Okune, which was halted by Justice Odoki on the bribery allegations.

The institution, however, maintains the innocence of the judge and urged the Lango subjects to respect the judicial process and the law and stop spreading unfounded accusations that erode public trust in the judiciary.