Suspended Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol appears before a Special Court in Juba during the ongoing Nasir incident trial. (Photo: Courtesy)

The first accused in the Nasir incident trial, Puot Kang Chol, told the Special Court on Wednesday that he could not remember the registration numbers of 10 vehicles allegedly taken from his residence during his arrest by the National Security Service.

During the 83rd court session in Juba, judges questioned Puot about an earlier statement regarding the vehicles and whether he could provide their registration details.

In response, Puot said he could not recall the registration numbers, adding that the vehicles included both private and government-owned cars.

He told the court that his family handed over the vehicles’ documents and registration details to National Security officers after he connected them with his relatives.

Puot further stated that neither the vehicles nor their registration records had been presented before the court.

The judges also questioned him about his role during the tensions in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in March 2025.

Puot told the court that he contacted several local actors, including Deputy Armed Youth Leader Kang Makana, the area’s paramount chief, and the then county commissioner, urging them to avoid clashes with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces stationed in Nasir.

He said he informed them that an expanded Presidency meeting in Juba had agreed to pursue a peaceful resolution to tensions along the Sobat Corridor.

Puot also spoke about his involvement in a high-level committee responsible for implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

The court further sought clarification on his use of the term “armed youth” after prosecutors referred to the group as the “White Army.”

Puot maintained that he was referring to armed youth in Nasir who possess weapons, similar to youth in other parts of the country.

The court also questioned him about messages presented as evidence and reportedly extracted from his mobile phones by a digital forensic expert.

Puot rejected the evidence, claiming the messages were generated by the digital expert and National Security officers.

He denied sending the messages, arguing that some of the individuals mentioned were not among his contacts and pointing to what he described as inconsistencies in the dates and times of the alleged communications.

The Special Court adjourned the case until June 5, when the second accused, Man Pal Dhoul, is expected to take the stand.