The special court trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused adjourned proceedings on Friday to March 2, 2026, to allow the three-judge panel time to study a defense objection challenging the authentication timeline of a re-submitted digital forensic report.

During the 54th session on Wednesday, defense lawyers questioned certification dates attached to the report, arguing discrepancies raised serious concerns about the prosecution’s evidence integrity.

South African digital forensic expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi re-submitted the report and exhibits after judges previously deferred prosecution filings due to disorganization, missing pagination, and unclear referencing that made it difficult for the court and defense to follow the evidence.

At the 55th session on Friday, presiding judge James Alala Deng announced the adjournment.

“The document comprises different components and responses. We must give ourselves time to study and resume on Monday,” Deng said.

Deng John Deng, a member of the defense team, objected to prosecution document No. 9-H (the digital forensic report), highlighting inconsistencies in authentication dates: September 1, 2, 5, and 11, 2025.

He argued these occurred after the special court’s establishment on September 1, 2025, and noted the absence of authentication from the South African Embassy in Juba.

Lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa responded that the defense had not cited any specific legal provisions breached in the authentication process.

“In all these observations by the defense, they make no mention of any law that has been breached,” Ony’Ohisa told the court.

He clarified that the special court held its initial session on September 22, 2025, when both sides were served with the establishment order, and that prior to that date, neither party was aware of the court’s existence.

“The authentications were all done before September 22, 2025, when we were served with the order of establishment,” he said.

“In our law, there is nothing these dates contravene.”

Ony’Ohisa also dismissed the defense claim that documents required authentication by the South African Embassy in Juba, calling it unsupported by law or established practice.

Judge Deng adjourned the case to Monday, March 2, 2026, when the bench is expected to issue a ruling on the objection.

Machar, 73, remains under house arrest, while his co-accused are detained at National Security Service facilities in Juba.

They face charges of murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity.

Prosecutors allege SPLA-IO forces, allied with the White Army, killed 257 SSPDF soldiers—including commander Gen. David Majur Dak—and destroyed or seized equipment worth approximately $58 million during the March 2025 Nasir garrison attack.