Suspect Agany Kut Aguil (left) was produced before a GBV Court in Juba for the first time on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. (Photo: Michael Daniel).

The Gender-Based Violence Court in Juba on Friday adjourned for the second time the trial of the man accused of gouging the eyes of his teenage daughter in Warrap State.

Agany Kut Achuil, a pharmacist in Tonj East County was arrested in April 2023 following the horrific domestic violent incident.

He is being tried for the crimes of Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt without Provocation and Attempted Murder.

Agany stands accused of gouging the eyes of his daughter Akuot leaving her blinded in one eye for refusing an arranged marriage.

But the court presided over by Judge Garang Ajak adjourned the session to Monday over the absence of a defence lawyer.

Speaking to Eye Radio, the general prosecutor, Botros Yaya says the next session will be for the prosecution to explain why the case was referred to the court.

“It (trial) was procedural, but the defendant’s lawyer requested that the session be postponed until the fourth of August due to the absence of the main volunteer lawyer for the defendant in the case,” Yaya said.

“The judge decided to postpone the hearing until August 4th to hear the accusation case.”

On his part, Ukongo Benson a delegated representative of the defendant said the lead defense lawyer will arrive from Canada by next week.

“I am here on behalf of the defense lawyer Antony Ayok Chol who is now on the way from Canada to represent the accused person. We requested the court to adjourn the case up to Monday the 4^th of September and he will be in charge of the case.”

In the case of conviction, Agany could be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or with a fine or both, in accordance with the South Sudan penal code.