Justice Archives - Page 2 of 137

Bishops demand probe into Carlassare’s shooting as main suspect freed

The Catholic Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan are calling on the authorities to do thorough investigation into the shooting of Rumbek Bishop Christian Carlassare in 2021.

Clergy John Mathiang Machol, the former diocesan coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek was handed a 7-year-jail term by Juba High Court in 2023 for aiding the shooting of the religious leader.

But last month, the Supreme Court overturned the guilty verdict against him after his defence lawyer Malith Jokthiang said the court found no evidence against his client.

Yesterday, the Bishops announced the decision of the Holy See to suspend Fr. Machol over the incident, citing his act breached the canon law.

Speaking to the Press yesterday in Juba, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference Stephen Ameyu Martin Cardinal Mulla says the Church is in solidarity with Bishop Carlassare after the release of clergy Machol.

“We express our deep solidarity with our brother, Bishop Christian Carlassare of Rumbek, following the recent release of Fr. John Mathiang Machol, the main suspect in the attempted murder of the Bishop three years ago,” he said.

The Roman Bishops condemned what they described as heinous act of violence against the Rumbek colleague and called on the authorities to ensure a thorough probe is carried out to bring perpetrators to justice.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the heinous act of violence against a shepherd of the Church. Attacks on religious leaders have no place in a just and peaceful society.

“We call up on the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into this incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Amayu.

Aweil priest gets 14 years in jail for molesting 2 altar boys

A high court in Northern Bhar el Ghazal State has convicted a foreign Catholic priest to 14 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two boys in Aweil West County. Continue reading Aweil priest gets 14 years in jail for molesting 2 altar boys

3 law firms intend to sue govt at EACJ over Kalisto’s detention

Three law firms said they are intending to sue the South Sudan government at the East African Court of Justice over the arbitrary detention of former Juba Mayor Kalisto Ladu. Continue reading 3 law firms intend to sue govt at EACJ over Kalisto’s detention

Police denies confirming Kalisto’s release, says was citing social media

The national police spokesperson has clarified that he did not confirm the release of the former mayor of Juba, Kalisto Ladu, adding that he was only referring to social media reports. Continue reading Police denies confirming Kalisto’s release, says was citing social media

Law student urges training of security forces on human rights

A law student at the University of Juba is calling on the government to provide more professional trainings to security personnel to successfully execute their mandates. Continue reading Law student urges training of security forces on human rights

Police announce Kalisto’s release, wife disputes claim

The police spokesperson announced that Kalisto has been released, but his wife disputes this claim, stating that the husband’s whereabouts are still unknown. Continue reading Police announce Kalisto’s release, wife disputes claim

Lakes State MP says assaulted, briefly detained for defying Governor’s order in land dispute

A Lakes State lawmaker says he was assaulted and briefly detained by the security personnel after allegedly defying the Governor’s order to vacate disputed land, according to authorities.
Continue reading Lakes State MP says assaulted, briefly detained for defying Governor’s order in land dispute

‘I am not alone’: Rwandans remember 1994 genocide

Thirty years after genocide tore their tiny nation apart, Rwandans gathered in their capital city on Sunday for a candlelight vigil to remember the dead and hope for a better future. Continue reading ‘I am not alone’: Rwandans remember 1994 genocide

Trading in foreign currencies without license is illegal, declares Garang

The governor of the Bank of South Sudan has declared as illegal, trading in foreign currencies without a license from the institution.

The Bank of South Sudan had given street money ex-changers three months with 45-day grace period to register and obtain licenses.

According to Bank governor Dr Garang Alich, the directive came to an end on 1, April 2024.

Dr Alic stated that any currency dealer who is not licensed is illegal and must cease selling and buying foreign currencies in the country.

“The grace period of 45 days came to an end on the 1^st of April. Now that the grace period has come to an end.

“We have done everything in our power as a regulator and we are now saying from today to eternity thus the case, it is illegal to sell foreign currency in South Sudan if you do not have a license,” he said during a press conference on Friday.

Dr Alic is encouraging those still unlicensed to register with the Bank.

“You are welcome to register your company any time if you have not done so. And if you are operating without a license, please come to the banks do you due diligence, go and do your business in a professional way.”

Meanwhile, he said those who have been licensed must have a shop within designated business premises and display the exchange rates.

“Where do we expect people to buy and sell, not under trees, not next to the cars or bus stations but to do it within premises like any other business.

“Anyone selling, we expect them to have a shop and we are directing them to display the selling rate and the buying rate,” he added.

The move by the Bank Governor to regulate the financial market comes amid the spiraling inflation in the country.

Man slapped with SSP2.5 million fine for deceitful cohabitation

The Gender-Based Violence Court in Juba on Friday ordered a 28-year-old man to pay more than SSP 2 million as a remedy for deceitfully cohabiting, and impregnating a 16-year-old girl more than a year ago.

Benjamin Adok Ayom was arrested in October, 2022 after he was accused by the victim’s guardian to police of defiling and impregnating the unnamed teenage girl.

According to judge Andrew Jushow Lado, a medical examination result at the Juba Teaching Hospital indicated that the minor was 24 weeks pregnant at the time.

During the court trial, the accused defense lawyer pleaded his client was not guilty.

He argued that kidnapping a girl, according to the prevailing custom of perpetrator’s community, is not a crime since it is done with the intention of marriage.

The GBV court found Benjamin Adok Ayom guilty of cohabitation by deceit, an offense punishable by a jail term not exceeding two years, or with a fine.

The GBV court ordered Convict Adok to pay 2 million South Sudanese Pounds to the survivor as remedies, citing any failure to do so, he will be imprisoned for one year.

It also fined Adok some half a million pounds.

“The convict is convicted to pay SSP 500,000 as a fine on the case of default prisoner for one year according to section 264 of the penal code 2008.

“The convict must pay the victim the amount of SSD 2 million as remedies and to pay through civil means. The parties have the right to appeal this judgment within 15 days from today issued under my hand and the sealed of the GBV, and Juvenile court on the 5th of April 2025, ” Judge Andrew Jushow Lado read out the verdict.

According to section 264, every person who by deceit causes any other person who is not lawfully married to him or her to believe that he or she is lawfully married to him or her and to cohabit or have sexual intercourse with him or her in that belief, commits an offense, and upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or with a fine or with both.