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 accused, Sweety Oliver Wani, Sandra John, Hussein Al-Hassan Ismail, and Ronnie Robert Laku, appeared before Judge Peter Mazin on Tuesday for the first hearing in the case.

During the session, prosecutors presented their opening statement and called the investigating officer, who read statements recorded from the four accused. The charges were brought under Articles 140, 113, and 206 of the South Sudan Penal Code, 2008.

The prosecution asked the court to impose the maximum penalty if the accused are convicted. Prosecutors further told the court that medical findings indicated the deceased suffered a sharp blow to the back of the neck, resulting in bleeding.

During the reading of their statements, the first accused confirmed that the statement presented to the court was accurate.

However, 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 some parts of the statement were missing, while the fourth accused said not all the statements attributed to him were true and that there were inconsistencies in the recorded statements.

The investigating officer also presented prosecution evidence, including a witness statement concerning the arrival of the body at Juba Teaching Hospital and an autopsy report.

The court was also shown video footage purportedly showing the movements of the deceased and the accused.

Judge Peter Mazin then adjourned the hearing until Wednesday, August 12, when the court is expected to hear further testimony from the investigating officer.

Atoch Chol Lang was identified as the daughter of the First Deputy Speaker of the Council of States.

Her body was discovered at the Imperial Plaza Hotel on September 26. Police subsequently took the body 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 Atosh 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.