Special Court room where Nasir suspects including Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused are being tried| Eye Radio

The Special Court has adjourned proceedings in the case involving First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and his co-accused to 15 July after seven accused persons failed to appear in court due to logistical challenges, while a power outage also disrupted the hearing.

The 95th session opened on Wednesday with the panel of judges taking attendance of the prosecution and defence teams before learning that seven accused persons being held in National Security custody had not been brought to court.

Lead defence lawyer Dr. Geri Raimondo told the court that all seven accused were absent, adding that the reasons for their absence were known to the authorities managing the detention facility.

Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala then asked the prosecution to explain why the accused persons had not been produced.

Responding for the prosecution, advocate Ajo Ohisa said the seven accused persons in National Security custody could not be brought to court because of logistical constraints. He said only the fifth accused, Dr. Riek Machar, had been presented before the court.

Proceedings were further interrupted when the court’s generator ran out of fuel, causing a power outage.

Announcing the adjournment, Judge Stephen Simon said the court could not continue in the absence of the accused persons and without electricity. He added that the logistical and fuel shortages affecting the proceedings reflected wider challenges facing the country.

The court adjourned the case to 15 July 2026.

In a separate development, defence lawyer Deng John told Eye Radio that all seven accused persons held in National Security custody are safe following Tuesday night’s fire at the detention facility.

He said the defence team had communicated with them and confirmed they were in good health.