A co-accused in the trial involving suspended First Vice President Riek Machar denied on Friday that he authored, sent or shared WhatsApp messages presented by prosecutors as digital evidence, arguing that the material lacked credible forensic backing.
The denial came during the 92nd session of the trial of lawmaker Gatwech Lam Puoch, one of the defendants facing charges linked to the March 2025 attack on the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) garrison in Nasir.
During the court’s 48th session, South African digital forensic expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin presented video clips, audio recordings and WhatsApp messages extracted from mobile phones belonging to Lam.
Calvin testified that Lam had shared sensitive military information with individuals allegedly associated with the White Army militia. He also said the WhatsApp messages showed Lam communicating information about the activities and movements of the SSPDF to individuals linked to the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).
Appearing before the court on Friday, Lam rejected the allegations, saying he had no involvement in generating, sending or forwarding the messages presented by the prosecution.
“I firmly reject this alleged communication and reaffirm that I didn’t author, send, forward or share such messages. It is a fabrication jointly manufactured by the prosecution team and the digital forensic expert,” Lam told the court.
Lam argued that digital messages alone could not establish criminal intent or participation without corroborating evidence.
“The alleged communication relied upon by the prosecution is fundamentally unreliable and incapable of establishing any criminal liability against me. The digital forensic expert report revealed serious inconsistencies and omissions that cast substantial doubt on its credibility and evidential value,” he said.
He also disputed a message referring to the SSPDF as a “militia,” saying the language and spelling were inconsistent with his own writing and incompatible with his role as a member of parliament.
“As a member of parliament, I can’t and could not describe the SSPDF as a militia. One of my constitutional responsibilities is to review, enact and amend legislation. It would therefore be illogical and contradictory for me to disregard or violate a law in whose enactment I participated or to refer to a legally established national institution by a name different from that recognised by law,” he said.
Lam said attributing such a statement to him was inconsistent with his constitutional responsibilities, legislative record and public conduct.
He further denied participating in discussions relating to military operations, saying the messages cited by prosecutors were linked to unrelated phone numbers.
Presiding Judge Deng adjourned the proceedings until June 29, when Lam is expected to continue presenting his defence.
Lam, who is listed by the court as 66 years old, and his co-accused face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity.
Machar remains under house arrest, while the other defendants are being held at National Security Service facilities in Juba.
The defendants are Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army killed 257 SSPDF soldiers, including commander Gen. David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million during the attack on the Nasir garrison in March 2025.
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