A congregation within the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) has appealed to the government to help reopen its church in Juba after a court acquitted its chairperson of charges linked to the closure of the worship facility.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, lawyer Ezekiel Eresto said the Kator Block Court acquitted Rev. Canon Isaac O’Neill Yosia Daima after prosecutors failed to present evidence connecting him to allegations that he obstructed a public servant.
Daima, who also serves as director general for cooperative and development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was arrested on May 26 and charged under Sections 121 and 124 of the Penal Code Act, 2008. Authorities alleged he violated an order issued by the Juba City Mayor directing the closure of the Moru Congregation Church.
“On June 3, 2026, the presiding judge heard the parties and ultimately declared the accused not guilty of the alleged offence and acquitted him,” Eresto told reporters.
According to Eresto, the court found that prosecutors had failed to provide evidence linking Daima to the alleged offence.
Despite the acquittal, the court ordered that the church remain closed in line with an earlier directive issued by the Juba City Council.
Eresto said the ruling was limited to the criminal case against Daima and did not address ownership of the church or examine the basis of claims that security concerns justified the closure.
“The court did not decide on the ownership of the church. The court only decided on the issue of obstructing a public servant from performing his duty,” he said.
Eresto described the arrest and prosecution of the church leader as unjustified and said the continued closure of the church had prevented worshippers from exercising their constitutional right to freedom of religion.
He said the congregation had repeatedly sought dialogue with the Diocese of Juba to resolve the dispute but that those efforts had not succeeded.
“Dialogue reflects maturity by the parties and provides an opportunity to address contentious issues as fellow Christians, settle disputes, and move on with mutual respect and dignity,” Eresto said.
The congregation called on the national government to intervene and direct the Juba City Council to reopen the church.
“We appeal to the national government to direct the Juba City Council to reopen Nyokuron Moru Congregation Church to enable worshippers to exercise their freedom of worship, association and assembly as fundamental constitutional rights,” Eresto said.
Speaking at the same press conference, Daima said he was surprised by his arrest and maintained that he had committed no wrongdoing. He said the incident had distressed his family and disrupted church activities.
He renewed calls for dialogue with the Diocese of Juba, describing the dispute as an administrative matter that should be resolved through discussion.
“We are ready as the Moru Congregation to speak with the Diocese of Juba, but they are refusing to talk with us,” Daima said.
According to Eresto, the Moru Congregation traces its origins to 1937 and considers itself an autonomous entity within the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. He said the congregation had established more than 20 churches in Juba over the years without support from either the Diocese of Juba or the church’s national administration.
Eresto said the congregation reserved the right to pursue further legal action to protect what it considers its constitutional rights and property interests.
Representatives of the Diocese of Juba and the Juba City Council could not immediately be reached for comment.
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