The Special Court trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and his co-accused on Friday dismissed a prosecution application seeking to compel the accused to submit written statements, ruling that the request was premature.
The ruling came during the 97th session of the trial. On June 26, 2026, the prosecution had applied for the remaining accused persons to provide written statements instead of lengthy oral testimonies, arguing that this would help expedite the proceedings.
Lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohissa told the court that written statements would reduce the time spent on oral evidence while still protecting the accused’s right to present their defense.
Defense lawyer Kur Lual Kur opposed the application, stressing that in a criminal case, the accused have the fundamental right to give oral testimony regardless of how long the process takes.
Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa, a member of the three-judge panel, delivered the court’s decision, dismissing the application as premature because the accused have not yet been formally charged.
“The application for prosecution on guidance is hereby dismissed for being premature because we have not charged the accused persons,” Judge Binjigwa stated.
He urged both the prosecution and defense teams to maintain integrity in handling legal matters.In the ongoing proceedings, Presiding Judge James Alala Deng questioned the third accused, Gatwech Lam (MP), about a press conference held by lawmakers from Nasir and Ulang counties on February 19, 2025.
Lam said the conference was a collective decision and not his personal initiative.Judge Alala further asked Lam about the timing of his arrest and the seizure of his phones.
Lam replied that he was arrested on March 11, 2025, at Kololo Junction (also known as Pope Francis Road) after the press conference, and that his phones were taken by force.
The court adjourned the case until Monday, July 20, 2026, when it is expected to examine the fourth accused, Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the SPLA-IO Acting Chief of Staff.
Dr. Machar remains under house arrest, while the other defendants are detained at National Security Service facilities in Juba.
The seven co-accused — Puot Kang Chuol (40), Mam Pal Dhuor (37), Gatwech Lam Puohc (67), Lt Gen Gabriel Duop Lam (53), Camilo Gatmai Kel (47), Mading Yak Riek (45), and Dominic Gatgok Riek (27) — face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army killed 257 SSPDF soldiers, including commander Gen. David Majur Dak, during an attack on the Nasir military garrison in March 2025, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million.
The defendants deny all charges.
