Proceedings in the trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny were adjourned on Wednesday after seven defendants failed to appear before the court and a complete power outage disrupted the hearing.
At its 95th session held at Freedom Hall on Wednesday, the Special Court observed that only Dr. Riek Machar, the fifth accused, was present, while the other accused persons failed to appear before the court.
When the judge asked why the seven accused were absent, lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa said their absence was due to other challenges, without providing further details.
“The 5th accused is available, but because we have other challenges, they [the other accused] cannot be here,” he said. “We are seeking an adjournment due to lack of power.”
For his part, lead defense lawyer Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge told the court that the reason for the absence of the other defendants was known only to the detention facility where they are being held.
“In the presence of the court interpreter, the defense team, and in the absence of all accused except accused number 5, for reasons known to the detention facility,” Geri said.
For his part, Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa, a member of the three-judge panel, announced that the court adjourned the proceedings until Wednesday, 15 July 2026.
“The lack of fuel for the generator will make us not proceed with the session,” he declared. “We hereby adjourn the session to Wednesday.”
The absence of the accused followed a fire that engulfed the headquarters of the National Security Service’s (NSS) Internal Security Bureau (ISB), commonly known as the Blue House, on Wednesday night.
John David Kumuri, spokesperson for the National Security Service, said all personnel and detainees were safely evacuated and that no casualties were reported. He attributed the fire to an electrical fault, but said investigations are ongoing.
The trial will resume on 15 July 2026, when the court will hear from the third accused, Gatwech Lam, an SPLM-IO lawmaker.
Dr. Machar, 73, who is under house arrest, faces charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason and crimes against humanity. His co-accused remain in detention under the National Security Service.
Prosecutors allege that forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), allied with the White Army militia, killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces soldiers, including commander David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million in an attack on a garrison in Nasir in March 2025.
The seven co-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.
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