JUBA – The sixth hearing in the trial of eight SPLM/A-IO officials is underway behind closed doors, as the Chief Justice reinstates two defense lawyers previously kicked out for expired licenses.
The hearing was adjourned on Wednesday following the prosecution’s request the investigator was tired after reading out witness accounts against four of the accuses to the three-judge panel.
In Friday’s session on the Nasir incident, witnesses are expected to present evidence against the suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and three other co-accused.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Chief Justice Dr. Benjamin Baak Deng granted two lawyers special permission to rejoin the defense team after granting them special leave, days after they were removed from the courtroom for not having valid practicing licenses.
The lawyers, Deng John Deng and Warnyang Kiir Warnyang, were ejected from the proceedings this week after the prosecution challenged their credentials.
“It is unfair to allow advocates who are not licensed to present the case,” Wani told the court last Wednesday, submitting a Bar Council list that he said showed the lawyers were not enrolled.
Chief Justice Baak then issued the special leave under Section 182 of the South Sudan Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 2008, which permit the lawyers to appear specifically in Criminal Case No. 1533 of 2025.