Kuel Aguer Kuel | Credit | Courtesy

Former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Kuel Aguer Kuel was produced before a special court in Juba on Monday for the first time since his arrest last year.

Kuel Aguer appeared in court to hear the case against him and several others who fled the country.

“The accused Kuel Aguer Kuel was arrested on 11th August 2021 under record 39, 80 of the arrest record books. He was investigated under page 12,13,14,15,16 of the investigation report,” the prosecutor Mandela Mustafa made presentation on case details before the court.

The defense lawyer Kiir Chol Deng said his client was made to understand the accusations against him by the prosecutor.

Speaking to the media on Monday afternoon, Chol said they will have a chance to question the evident presented by the prosecutor on October 7.

“There was the opening speech from the prosecution and then followed by reply from the defense and there later we heard the first witness that is the police investigation,” he said.

“The prosecutor has been presenting their document and then we have been allowed to question the investigation. On date 7th, we will question the investigation and we can cross examine.”

Aguer was arrested on August 3^rd, 2021 after he signed document linked with the online anti-government movement, the People’s Coalition for Civil Action.

The social media movement plotted unrest and called for a nationwide protest and the resignation of the unity government citing failure of the revitalized agreement.

Aguer was accused along with six others including activists Wani Michael, Jame David Kolok, Rajaf Mohandis, Manathe Mathiang, Daniel Makau and Abraham Awenlieth.

The government critics and activists, most of whom are signatories to the revitalized agreement are accused of subverting constitutional government, attempting to overthrow the government by unconstitutional mean and causing disaffection among security forces.

Following Aguer’s detention, the activists fled the country and the organization they worked for, were allegedly closed and their bank account frozen.

For over a year, the politician-turned-government critic has been in prison, and family members said his health condition is deteriorating in jail.