The High Court has given more time for response by the defense lawyers of former presidential officials accused of stealing millions of dollars while in office.

25 officials were detained last year on charges related to forging the signature of President Kiir.

Some of them first appeared in the court on Monday and were paraded before the same court yesterday morning.

But their defense lawyers demanded enough time to hear from their clients before hearing from the investigator.

“We will take enough time with them so that we can defend them in court,” said Kur Lual, lead defense lawyer.

The police investigator told the court that the 25 suspects are linked to the alleged forgery, which officials say led to the loss of more than 14 million US dollars in the name of the president.

The men also allegedly used the signature to steal 30 million South Sudanese pounds, with the help of 14 officials from the Central Bank and ministry of finance.

The court said the next hearing will be on Thursday.