A high court in Juba has ordered for the eviction of businessman, Ayii Duang Ayii from his business premises south of Juba Central Prison.
Mr. Ayii has reportedly refused to vacate the National Prisons property after his contract to rent the land from prisons service ended in 2016.
In a court order issued by Judge Lawrence Jaja of Malakia high court on 12 Feb, 2021, seen by Eye Radio, Ayii was ordered to leave the place.
The court also directed him to pay the Prison Service 2, 700, 000 pounds for a three-year arrears.
Major General Anthony Oliver who is the spokesperson of South Sudan National Prisons Service told Eye Radio the land was leased to Ayii in 2006 for a duration of ten years.
Oliver said the businessman had built what came to be known as South Sudan Hotel 2.
He later turned it into an institute named as the Southern State Institute for Development and Investment where he also set up a clinic inside.
Parts of the premises are being rented out to retail traders.
According to Oliver, after Ayii’s contract ended in 2016, the prison decided not to renew the contract due to non-compliance to pay rental fees.
However, after reaching a disagreement, the prison administration filed a case against him and the court ordered for his immediate eviction.
“The eviction order was supposed to be implemented today, but some developments emerged and we went to a competent court and the judge ordered the implementation of the eviction”, Maj. Gen. Anthony Oliver told Eye Radio on Friday afternoon.
Gen. Oliver said the eviction will take effect despite claims by Ayii’s team to have submitted an appeal against the ruling earlier.
“They said they had an Appeal, but there was no order to stop the eviction order”, he added.
In response, Ayii Duang confirmed the court’s decision.
But he said, his lawyer has filed an appeal against the decision.
“The lawyer of the South Sudan Development and Investment Corporation has filed an appeal against the decision”, Ayii Duang confirmed to Eye Radio.
Ayii however, accused individuals within the prisons administration of having plans to auction the land for themselves.
“The prison administration wants to sell the land or make it an investment for them”, Ayii claimed.
He also said they are working with relevant institutions to renew their rental mandate.
“We stopped the procedures and made the appeal, and the ministry of finance is ready for people to sign a renewal contract”, he stated.