The four accused in the Atosh Chol Lang murder case, from left: Sweety Oliver Wani, Sandra John, Hussein Al-Hassan Ismail, and Ronnie Robert Laku, appear before the High Court in Juba during the first hearing of the trial on August 11, 2026. Credit: Michael Daniel/Eye Radio.

The defense team is expected to cross-examine the investigating officer on Monday in the case of the murder of 24-year-old Atoch Chol Lang, whose body was found in a swimming pool at a hotel in Juba last September.

The development follows the completion of the examination of digital evidence from two hotels by representatives of the public prosecution and private prosecution.

The investigating officer was previously questioned by the prosecution and private prosecution. The defense is now expected to conduct its cross-examination.

After the defense completes its questioning, the private prosecution and public prosecution are expected to re-examine the investigator before the court conducts its own questioning.

The High Court in Juba began hearing the case on August 11, with four people accused of murdering Atoch Chol Lang. The accused are Sweety Oliver Wani, Sandra John, Hussein Al-Hassan Ismail, and Ronnie Robert Laku.

The first hearing was presided over by Judge Peter Mazin. The prosecution presented its opening statement and called the investigating officer, who read statements recorded from the four accused.

The accused are charged under Articles 140, 113, and 206 of the 2008 South Sudan Penal Code.

The prosecution has asked the court to impose the maximum penalty if the accused are found guilty, without granting legal exceptions.

According to the prosecution, Atoch Chol Lang died after sustaining a sharp blow to the back of the neck, which caused bleeding.

During the reading of their statements, the first accused confirmed that the statement presented to the court was accurate. The second accused disputed parts of the statement, citing inconsistencies in the timing and saying some sections were incomplete.

The third accused also claimed that parts of the statement were missing, while the fourth accused disputed some of the statements attributed to him and pointed to inconsistencies in the recorded statements.

The investigating officer presented additional prosecution evidence, including a witness statement concerning the arrival of the body at Juba Hospital and an autopsy report. The court was also shown video footage allegedly showing the movements of the deceased and the accused.

The court is expected to continue hearing evidence from the investigating officer before proceeding to prosecution witnesses and court witnesses, including medical doctors.

Atoch Chol Lang was identified as the daughter of the First Vice President of the Council of States. Her body was discovered at the Imperial Plaza Hotel on September 26, after which police took it to the morgue for an autopsy to establish the cause of death.

At the time, former police spokesperson Major General James Monday Enoka said the medical findings would help determine whether Atoch had drowned or had been thrown into the swimming pool.

Police also said the investigation would include questioning hotel staff, review CCTV footage and interviewing potential witnesses.

The court proceedings are continuing, and the four accused remain subject to the court’s determination of the case.