FILE: Advocate Godfrey Victor Bula speaks to reporters. | 19th August 2022. | Photo credit: Awan Moses.

The High Court in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, has dismissed a case of embezzlement filed by Cordaid, an international humanitarian organization, against three of its employees, citing a lack of evidence.

The court also released the three employees who were accused of embezzling over $20,000 from the organization.

The free employees were detained following the October 2024 break-in at the Cordaid office in Torit.

The incident, which occurred on the night of October 23, 2024, involved thieves allegedly cutting through the fence of Cordaid’s compound, breaking a window with metal cutters, and stealing $24,514 and 500,000 SSP.

The suspects—the finance officer, the driver, and the acting area coordinator—were arrested following the break-in at the Cordaid office in Torit.

Godfrey Victor, a lawyer and the Executive Director of the Justice Human Rights Observatory provided an in-depth explanation of the case.

He stated that the prosecution charged the three employees under Sections 48 and 294 of South Sudan’s 2008 Penal Code, arguing that they had been on duty during the break-in and had left the office, locking the premises.

However, Godfrey emphasized that the prosecution failed to provide any concrete evidence linking the suspects to the crime.

“The case was opened, but during the hearing, no one came forward as a witness,” explained the defence lawyer. “Even the security guard on duty at the time testified that he did not see any of the accused break into the office or tamper with the security systems.”

In the absence of any credible evidence or eyewitness testimony, the court found the accusations against the employees unfounded. “The case lacked sufficient proof,” said the lawyer. “Without substantial evidence, the court is left with no choice but to dismiss the case.”