A court in Juba on Monday adjourned the trial of a police captain accused of assaulting a tricycle rider after both the investigating officer and the defendant failed to appear in court.
Police spokesperson Maj. Daniel Justin said the hearing before the Joint Special Emergency Court for Organised Forces could not proceed due to the absence of both key parties.
“Today was the first sitting of the court for the trial of a police captain who was accused of beating a child on the street of Juba in Hai Malakal,” Justin told reporters. “We discovered that the investigator was not around, and even the accused himself was absent. The court was adjourned to ensure that these people are officially summoned.”
He said the next hearing has been scheduled for June 11, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the same court.
The accused officer, Police Captain Richard Ruai Kuol, was recently filmed allegedly assaulting a tricycle rider in Juba. The video circulated widely on social media and sparked public outrage, prompting authorities to open disciplinary and legal proceedings.
Justin said the case is being heard by the Joint Emergency Court for Organised Forces, a special tribunal chaired by Maj.-Gen. Raymond Legge and composed of three judges.
He added that the court has been operating since around 2016 and handles cases involving members of the organised forces.
No reason was immediately given for the absence of the accused officer and the investigator.
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