Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The trial of Puot Kang Chol and other linked to the Nasir incident of March 2025 is nearing completion, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Michael Makuei Lueth has said after briefing President Salva Kiir on Wednesday.
Makuei said the case, which has been ongoing for an extended period, is now progressing toward conclusion after he briefed President Salva Kiir Mayardit on its status.
He also updated the President on his recent participation at the Human Rights Council in Geneva and on efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Makuei said reforms are underway to improve the ministry’s ability to deliver legal services across the country.
He said President Kiir welcomed the briefing and directed continued reforms in the legal sector as South Sudan prepares for upcoming elections.
Speaking after the meeting, Makuei said: “I also brief him on the developments in the case of Puot Kang Chol and others, whereby the case has taken for so long but we are progressing very well. We will be in a position to complete the trial soon.”
He added: “I briefed him also about the situation in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the efforts that we are exerting in order to have it on its feet so that we can render the necessary legal services to the people of the Republic of South Sudan.”
On the 68th session on Wednesday, the defence team in the trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused SPLM/A-IO members concluded its cross-examination of the prosecution’s final witness in Juba.
During the session, defence lawyer Deng John Deng questioned digital forensic expert Calvin Rafadi on whether parts of his analysis relating to accused number seven, Mading Yak, had been independently verified by military or geographical experts.
Rafadi told the court that his findings were shared only with a government investigating committee.
The defence also raised concerns over a WhatsApp message allegedly sent by one of the accused, Dominic Riek, after his reported arrest in June last year, despite records indicating he was arrested earlier in March.
The expert acknowledged the discrepancy, saying it had been raised in earlier testimony. The court adjourned the case to Friday for further hearing.
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