By: Ginaba Lino
Two lawyers previously barred from defending suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused have been officially reinstated during Wednesday’s session of the Special Court in Juba—the fifth sitting in the high-profile Nasir case.
Advocates Wernyang Kiir Wernyang and Deng John were removed from the courtroom on Monday, September 29, by order of Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng, who ruled that they could only participate once their professional licenses were renewed by the South Sudan Bar Association.
At the time, Judge Deng directed the two lawyers to either move to the public gallery or leave the courtroom entirely, citing procedural and licensing regulations.
However, during Wednesday’s proceedings, the court confirmed that both lawyers had since obtained provisional clearance to resume their roles after a formal process involving the Chief Justice and the Bar Association. Their reinstatement was welcomed by the defense team, which had earlier argued that their removal violated the defendants’ constitutional right to legal representation of their choice.
Dr. Geri Raimondo, a senior defense lawyer, explained how the issue was resolved:
“The day before yesterday, when these two individuals were removed, we went immediately to the Chief Justice,” he said.
“We asked, according to Section 182 of the Criminal Procedure Act, and the Chief Justice allowed them to proceed, in line with Article 19, Clause 7 of the Constitution.”
Dr. Raimondo clarified that the matter was purely procedural, involving renewal delays—not disqualification:
“It was just a matter of renewal. Two members of the Bar Council were absent, which delayed the process. But the Chief Justice acted and appointed two judges to handle the matter. There’s no problem now.”
He added that two official letters from the Chief Justice were presented to the court and shared with the prosecution team:
“Yes, we submitted the documents to the court, and the other party accepted them. This is a constitutional right, and we’re satisfied that it has been upheld.”
Dr. Machar and the seven co-accused—including Puot Kang Chol, Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwich Lam Puoch, and three others—are on trial over their alleged roles in the Nasir attack, which took place between March 3 and 7, 2025, in Upper Nile State.
The fighting resulted in the deaths of over 250 people, including Major General David Majur Dak, dozens of SSPDF soldiers, and two United Nations aviation personnel, whose helicopter was reportedly shot down near the conflict area. The attack has been attributed to the White Army, a militia historically composed of armed Nuer youth