By Louis Loku
The legal representative of Moru Congregation Church, Advocate Ezekiel Eresto, has welcomed the acquittal of the church’s chairperson, Reverend Canon Isaac O’Neill Yosea Daima, while calling on the national government to intervene in the ongoing dispute between the congregation and the Diocese of Juba and Juba City Council.
Addressing a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, the legal representative of Moru Congregation Church, Advocate Ezekiel Eresto, said the church welcomed the court’s decision and maintained that the allegations against Canon O’Neill were baseless and unsupported by evidence.
According to Eresto, Canon O’Neill was arrested on May 26, 2026, at his residence shortly after returning from work, where he serves as director general for cooperative and development in the National Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
He was charged under Sections 121 and 124 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008, on allegations that he violated an order issued by the Juba City Council mayor concerning the closure of Nyakuron Moru Congregation Church.
The prosecution alleged that Canon O’Neill broke a padlock that had been placed on the church by city authorities. However, on June 3, the Kator Block Court ruled that there was no evidence linking him to the alleged offence and acquitted him of all charges.
“The court found no evidence to substantiate the allegations against our client,” Eresto said. “The acquittal confirms that the charges were unfounded.”
Despite the acquittal, the court upheld the mayor’s directive ordering the closure of the church. Eresto noted that the court did not examine the ownership of the church property or the evidentiary basis of the security concerns cited in the closure order.
He emphasised that the ruling was limited to the criminal charge against Canon O’Neill and did not determine ownership of the church.
The lawyer described the arrest, detention, and prosecution of the church leader as regrettable, arguing that the closure of the church had negatively affected worshippers whose primary purpose is to gather for prayer and worship.
“The closure has caused unnecessary suffering to believers and damaged relations between Moru Congregation and the Diocese of Juba,” he said.
Eresto further revealed that the congregation had repeatedly sought dialogue with the Diocese of Juba to resolve the dispute, but claimed that those efforts had been rejected.
He urged all parties to embrace peaceful dialogue in accordance with Christian teachings, citing 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, which encourages believers to resolve disputes among themselves.
Meanwhile, O’Neill said his arrest came as a surprise because he believed he had done nothing wrong. He said the incident affected both his family and church members, many of whom were distressed and uncertain about his fate while he remained in police custody.
The church leader reiterated his call for dialogue, stating that Moru Congregation remains ready to engage with the Diocese of Juba to find a peaceful and lasting solution.
“We are prepared to talk and resolve this matter amicably,” Canon O’Neill said. “Our appeal is for the Diocese of Juba to come to the table for dialogue.”
The congregation also appealed to the national government to protect constitutional rights, including freedom of worship, assembly, and association.
It called on authorities to facilitate the reopening of Nyakuron Moru Congregation Church and ensure that worshippers can freely practice their faith.
Moru Congregation leaders maintain that the church is an autonomous institution that has existed since 1937 and has played a significant role in the spiritual development of its members and the wider community.
They insist that peaceful dialogue remains the best path toward resolving the longstanding dispute and restoring harmony among Christians in Juba.