Author|Ginaba Lino|CRN – The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has dismissed a widely circulated document on social media purporting to be a leaked investigation report as “fake” and “AI-generated,” warning that individuals who create or share unverified content risk prosecution under the law.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, Justice Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said the document referred to online as an “Investigation Committee leak report” is not authentic and does not originate from any official government body.
“The so-called leaked list is not true,” Makuei said. “It is an artificial intelligence-generated document and should not be considered credible.”
The minister stressed that members of the investigation committee are bound by strict confidentiality and cannot disclose details of ongoing inquiries under any circumstances.
Backing the minister’s remarks, Abraham Tilar rejected the document as a “baseless work of fiction” intended to mislead the public and damage reputations.
“The committee maintains no record of the claims referenced in the circulating material,” Tilar said. “Any names, figures, or narratives contained in the document are entirely external to our work and hold no factual or legal standing.”
He further explained that official reports are never released through informal channels and must include institutional identifiers such as letterheads, serial numbers, and authentication marks none of which appear in the disputed document.
The minister also urged media houses, bloggers, and the public to rely solely on verified official communication channels and to exercise caution before publishing or sharing information.
Addressing concerns over recent arrests linked to the ongoing investigation involving Benjamin Bol Mel, Makuei defended the legality of the procedures, stating they are conducted in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act.
He clarified that while freedom of movement is a constitutional right, it may be lawfully restricted once an individual is arrested and formally charged.
“You are free when you have not committed an offence,” he said. “But once charged, your rights can be limited within the law.”
Makuei explained that suspects may be detained during investigations under judicial oversight, including court-authorized extensions of remand where necessary. He dismissed allegations of unlawful detention, maintaining that all arrests are backed by valid warrants and subject to judicial review.
The minister declined to provide a timeline for the conclusion of the investigation, describing it as an ongoing legal process.
“We cannot fix dates for investigations,” he said. “Once complete, the case will proceed to court.”
He confirmed that authorities will investigate the origin of the fabricated document, warning that that responsible will be held accountable.
The government has urged the public to disregard the alleged leak and avoid spreading unverified information, emphasizing that misinformation can interfere with justice and harm innocent individuals.
“This document is false and should be ignored,” Tilar said. “The public should rely only on official sources for accurate information.”
Makuei echoed the call, stressing that adherence to the law is essential to maintaining order and protecting the integrity of the justice system.