By Yiep Joseph
The legal team defending the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, and seven co-accused has requested time to review the evidence as the trial enters the cross-examination session.
On Wednesday, October 22nd, during the 13th session, the prosecution team ended the examination-in-chief session where the investigator responded to questions related to how the accused contributed to the Nasir incident.
The lead investigator discloses necessary evidence before court, including financial transfers, incitement through WhatsApp communications, and the unveiling of unauthorized entities to authorities, among others.
However, after concluding with the examination in chief, the presiding judges gave the go-ahead to the defense team to cross-examine the lead investigator.
When cross-examination commences, it will allow defense lawyers to challenge investigator/witnesses and test the reliability of their statements. This process helps ensure that the truth comes out in court, which is essential for justice to be served.
In reply to the judge calling on the court to proceed, the defense team requested some humble time and the copies of evidence to study before cross-examining the lead investigator.
Dr. Gerry Raimondo, the advocate on the defense side, requested an adjournment to give their members good time to review the evidence provided by the lead investigator before the cross-examination session.
Advocate Ajo Ohisa, a member of the prosecution team, objected to the request and prayed for the honorable judge to allow all the sessions to proceed with cross-examinations.
Ohisa acknowledged the request of the defense to have the case file; however, he stated that request is not mentioning any law allowing it.
He cited section 56 of the Criminal Procedure, which does not allow such a request.
Ohisa requested for the court to proceed with the cross-examinations, adding that the authors of those documents will later come to testify; hence, there is no need for the defense to request more time.
After the legal argument between the defense and prosecution, the presiding judge, Dr. James Alala Deng, adjourns the trials to Friday.
Dr. Alala added that a ruling would be made on Friday, October 24, 2025, regarding the requests, such as to try some of the accused in absentia, as presented early by the prosecution, among others.
In September, the government of South Sudan filed six charges, including treason and murder, against its First Vice President and opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and seven others in connection with the March 2025 Nasir incident.
Dr. Joseph Geng Akec, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, announced in a press briefing in Juba that the government’s investigative committee has concluded its probe and filed charges against Dr. Machar and his allies.
The accused, including Dr. Riek Machar, Mr. Puot Kang Choi, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Mr. Mam Pal Dhuor, Mr. Gatwich Lam Puoch, Brig. Gen. Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mr. Mading Riek Yak, and Mr. Dominic Gatrgok Riek of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army–In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), are alleged to have coordinated with the White Army in attacks on the Nasir barracks from 3 to 7 March 2025.
The incident resulted in the deaths of Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak, over 250 SSPDF soldiers, and a United Nations pilot.