South Sudan’s Chief Justice has authorized two previously barred lawyers to rejoin the defense team of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused in a major criminal case.

Advocates Deng John Deng and Warnyang Kiir Warnyang were expelled from the courtroom earlier this week after prosecutors questioned their credentials. Prosecutor Dr. Sabri Wani Ladu argued that the two had failed to renew their practicing licenses by the January deadline required under the 2013 Advocates Act. “It is unfair to allow advocates who are not licensed to present the case,” he told the court, presenting a Bar Council list showing the two were not enrolled.

Presiding Judge James Alala Deng upheld the objection and ordered the pair out, noting that only the Chief Justice could grant them special permission to appear.

On Tuesday, Chief Justice Dr. Benjamin Baak Deng exercised that power, issuing special leave under Section 182 of the 2008 Code of Criminal Procedure. Official documents seen by Radio Tamazuj confirm the approval allows the two lawyers to represent their clients specifically in Criminal Case No. 1533 of 2025.

The defense team, led by former appellate judge and University of Juba law professor Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge, now also includes Kur Lual Kur, Anis Tombe Augustino, and Regina Akeriw Deng alongside the reinstated lawyers.

The case is being heard at Juba’s Freedom Hall by a special three-judge panel of Supreme Court justices: James Alala Deng, Stephen Simon Bejingwa, and Isaac Pur Majak. Proceedings began on September 22.

Machar, 73, and his seven co-accused—Puot Kang Chuol (40), Mam Pal Dhuor (37), Gatwech Lam Puoch (66), Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam (53), Kamilo Gatmai Kel (47), Mading Yak Riek (45), and Dominic Gatgok Riek (27)—are facing charges including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property.

On Friday, October 3, the court is set to hear an investigator present statements from the remaining four accused, including Machar himself.

The charges stem from attacks in March 2025 on an army base in Nasir County that left a general and dozens of soldiers dead. Authorities allege the assaults were carried out by Machar’s SPLM/A-IO faction and allied White Army fighters.