Inmate at Juba Central Prison -

The trial for the multiple suspects accused of the sexual assault of a minor in Gumbo Shirkat this past June is set to begin on October 1, 2025, at a mobile court session inside Juba Central Prison.

This was confirmed by the Executive Director of the Justice and Human Rights Observatory, Advocate Godfrey Victor Bulla.

According to the defense lawyer, the referral letter from the Public Prosecution to the court listed 13 defendants.

The referral letter includes four charges: acts committed by several persons in furtherance of a common intention, criminal intimidation by anonymous communication, detaining a person for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct, and robbery.

Advocate Godfrey Victor stated that he received official communication from the court, setting the first hearing for October 1, 2025, at the High Court sitting in Juba Central Prison.

He added that some suspects remain in custody, and the police investigations were completed a long time ago. However, the delay in assigning a judge has denied the right to a fair and timely trial.

“The communication from the court sets the session on the first of next month, which is next week, October 1, 2025. In the first session, we will appear before the High Court in the prison,” Godfrey stated.

“Some of the suspects who were arrested are in custody. The police finished their investigation a long time ago, and the file was transferred to the court.”

“A judge was not assigned to carry out this court process due to some reasons that can be explained better by the judiciary for such a delay, which violates the right to a fair trial and prolongs the delay of justice.”

In the wake of the incident, which occurred in June, police arrested several suspects. The case drew national outrage after the assault of the 16-year-old girl was reportedly filmed and circulated on social media.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Thursday, September 25, Advocate Bulla, who represents the private right of the survivor, said the case will now be heard before Judge Lawrence Gaga at the mobile court in the prison.

Some suspects initially released have since been rearrested after the Public Prosecution overturned its earlier decision, and all are now detained at Juba Central Prison.

“There were two suspects at large, and then there were some suspects that were released,” he said.

“The Public Prosecution also had to cancel the decision of the Public Prosecution that released some of the suspects, so they could be arrested and brought to book. They are in detention in Juba Central Prison,” he concluded.