JUBA — The South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Paul Nang Majok, verbally authorized the arrest of SPLA-IO Acting Chief of Staff Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the lead investigator told the Special Court on the Nasir Incident Monday.
Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, the investigator in the politically charged case against First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and seven senior SPLM/A-IO officials, made the revelation while responding to prosecution questions during a re-cross-examination at Freedom Hall.
He said the arrest of Lam was carried out in March “under direct verbal instruction” from Nang, who serves as the SSPDF’s Chief of Defense Forces. No written order, he added, was presented to support the arrest.
The nineteenth session of the ongoing trial focused on clarifying issues raised by the defense during earlier cross-examinations. Prosecutors questioned Gen. Wani about several matters, including the identity of individuals allegedly involved in the Nasir clashes and the authenticity of documents and digital evidence submitted before the court.
Responding to questions on whether the 2018 peace agreement protects the accused from prosecution, the investigator said the accord provides no such immunity, given that the charges involve what he described as “grave offenses.”
Gen. Wani also told the court that a digital forensic analysis of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol’s phone revealed communication and a picture allegedly showing $30,000 worth of arms purchased through Brig. Gen. Hokdor Chuol. The evidence, he claimed, was sent to the minister by an individual identified as Chuol Gatnor.
The prosecution further presented Exhibit No. 8 — a letter purportedly issued by Dr. Machar on March 1, 2025 — instructing local officials in Nasir and Ulang to guide an SSPDF convoy to Wech-Yar-Adiu. Gen. Wani alleged that members of the same committee later led attacks against the SSPDF garrison, naming the late Tor Gile Thoan as the leader of the first assault on March 3, 2025.
When asked why the trial was being held in Juba rather than Nasir or Malakal, where the events took place, the investigator argued that the case was being heard in the capital because it involved “crimes against the state” and the accused were apprehended there.
He confirmed that only two bodies — those of the late Gen. David Majur Dak and a foreign UN crew member — were repatriated from Nasir to Juba.
The court adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, November 12, to allow judges time to review prosecution documents and prepare further questions for the investigator.
