South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Special Court on Wednesday listened to a statement from the lead investigator, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, against Puot Kang Chol, the suspended Minister of Petroleum, and seven co-accused who are facing charges of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity.
Media outlets reporting on the proceedings were prohibited from recording or live broadcasting in order to prevent witnesses from hearing the presentation.
Maj. Gen. Wani, the Chief Investigator, provided a statement regarding Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; and Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53.
Gen. Wani, who also serves as Commissioner of Police of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, reported that case number 1,533 was opened against the eight individuals on March 20, 2025.
He stated that it was opened at the Northern Police Division by the National Security Service Internal Security Bureau.
Wani indicated that the accused are charged under sections 48, 52, 61, 64, 65, 66, 67, 72, and 76 of the Penal Code Act 2008.
They are accused of sharing sensitive information and conspiring with the militia, the White Army, and other SPLA-IO forces.
He stated that their actions resulted in the deaths of SSPDF forces, including their commander, Maj. Gen. James Majur Dak, at the Nasir garrison in March 2025.
The hearing was adjourned to Friday, October 4, 2025, after the prosecution requested the court to do so, citing the investigator’s fatigue following the presentation of witness statements.
The lead investigator is expected to present statements from the remaining four, including Dr. Riek Machar Teny, 73; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
The accused face alleged charges including mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property in connection with fighting in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in March 2025.
The case stems from deadly clashes in the town of Nasir earlier this year, which the government alleges involved Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO).
James Alala Deng, the presiding judge, allowed two lawyers from the defence team of suspended South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, who were expelled from court on Monday due to expired licences, to return to court.
Advocates Deng John Deng and Warnyang Kiir Warnyang were permitted to return to court after the president of the supreme court granted them sanction.
According to the relevant law, lawyers are required to renew their licences by the end of January each year, and failure to do so results in automatic suspension until the licence is renewed.
