Judge directs security legal adviser to grant defense access to Machar

JUBA — The panel of judges presiding over the trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven accused on Wednesday directed the legal adviser of the National Security Service (NSS) to facilitate a meeting between Machar and his defense team after lawyers complained they had been denied access despite prior court approval.

The issue arose during the 104th session of the trial when the defense informed the court that security officials had prevented them from meeting Machar on Tuesday to prepare for the presentation of his testimony.

Machar’s defense lawyer, Kur Lual Kur, said they were denied meeting Machar despite the court granting permission for a visit on 3 August 2026.

Kur said the security authorities had introduced a new administrative procedure requiring the defense team seeking to visit Machar to obtain prior approval from the director general of the National Security Service’s Internal Security Bureau.

Lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa told the court that the defense team had requested access to meet Machar at his residence at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, but delays in obtaining the necessary approval hindered the visit.

“The legal advisor informed the defense that he has to inform his superior, Director General of National Security Service, given the status of the 5th accused,” Ohisa said.

“Given that it was evening hours, the information could not reach the superior, and there was no time for the defense to meet the 5th accused.”

He said the request was denied due to security concerns after the defense team included Advocate Chout Alier in the planned visit, noting that Alier is not officially listed as a member of Machar’s defense team.

“The defense team that was to visit the 5th accused included a new member, Advocate Chout Alier, who is not officially recorded as part of the defense team,” he said.

“We are not aware that the court has given him approval, and we see this as serious security risk that the court should take note of.”

Presiding Judge James Alala Deng ordered that the legal security advisor grant access to the defense team to meet Machar at his residence at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.

“You are to meet with the 5th accused at his residence at 9 AM tomorrow morning. The lawyer to meet the 5th accused should be a person whose name appears in our list here,” Deng said.

The court adjourned the session to August 7, 2026, when Machar is expected to give his defense testimony.

The trial, which has drawn significant national attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused, is being presided over by Judge James Alala Deng, alongside Justices Stephen Simon and Isaac Pur Majok.

The prosecution team comprises 13 lawyers drawn from the Ministry of Justice and other legal institutions, including Counsel General Deng Achuil Adija, Dr. Sabri Wani Lado, Serafino Simon Mizan, and Filberto Mayuot Mareng.

On the defense side, six lawyers are representing the accused, including Dr. Geri Raymond Legge, Kur Lual Kur, and Anis Tombe Augustino.

Investigations into the case are being led by Major General Basile Thomas Wani, assisted by Brigadier General John Dak, while Captain Richard Gachi Apollo of the Internal Security Service is listed as the complainant.

Those standing trial alongside Machar include Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt Gen Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.

As proceedings continue, the court is expected to further examine the credibility and implications of digital forensic evidence in establishing alleged links between political figures and armed groups.