JUBA – The defense team concluded its cross-examination of the lead investigator in the case against eight SPLM/A-IO officials on Wednesday, as the panel announced a verdict on the humanitarian needs of the defendants.
The 18th session started at 9:30am. The prosecution confirmed their presence as well as that of the investigator and the complainant. The defense also confirmed attendance, but as usual, the 4th and the 6th accused persons were absent on health ground.
Defense lawyer Kur Lual Kur questioned lead investigator Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani for five hours on alleged evidence in the Nasir Garrison attack.
The investigator was also asked if some of the accused persons attempted to de-escalate the situation as well as helped in the evacuation of the deceased and survivors after the incident.
Kur asks Wani to confirm if the 1st accused, Hon. Puot Kang, and Information Minister Michael Makuei, were instructed by the President to hold a press conference to deescalate the situation before the Nasir incident. He says the 1st accused confirmed holding the press conference during the investigation.
Wani is asked if he agrees that the 3rd accused, Simon Gatwech, held the press conference for which he is accused of incitement, in his capacity as a national MP representing Nasir.
He answers that that the press conference was not about the situation in Nasir but about the general security situation. When asked if he had listened to the full audio of the press conference, he says he didn’t.
Investigator Wani is asked to explain the communications between the 4th accused, Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and then CDF Santino Deng Wol, on the movement of SSPDF troops to Nasir, He said acknowledges that indeed, the two were in touch.
Wani is asked if he knows that the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) were supposed to be deployed in Nasir. He says he did not look into that provision.
Wani is asked to explain details of a meeting between the 5th accused, Dr. Riek Machar, and head of security organs before the Nasir garrison attack. He answers that the 5th accused mentioned the meeting but that it was on the general security situation in the country.
Investigator is asked if Machar had written to the President, to which he confirms, although he says he doesn’t remember the date.
Investigator is asked to confirm if Machar had called the commissioner of Nasir James Gatluak to instruct him that the youths and chief should not fight the SSPDF.
He confirms the letter was written, and the commissioner mobilized 21 youths and chiefs on March 2, 2025. However, Wani says on the day of the attack, the mobilized group went to the local police station, pulled down the national and police flags and burnt them.
Meanwhile, the three-judge panel – in its ruling on an application by the defense – ordered security agencies guarding the accused to grant them one hour of sunlight exposure every day.
The verdict read out by Justice Dr. James Alala Deng also indicates that the accused persons shall receive medical supervision and food from their families when it is determined to be safe.
The session was therefore adjourned to Monday, 10th November 2025.