A South Sudanese lawmaker, testifying as the third co-accused in the ongoing trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, told the court on Monday that National Security Service (NSS) officers arrested him without a warrant and told him “immunity does not work.”
Gatwech Lam Puoch, a member of the National Legislative Assembly representing Nasir County on an SPLM-IO ticket, said he was detained on March 11, 2025 along Pope Francis Road in Juba in connection with the so-called Nasir incident.
Testifying during the 88th court session, Lam said NSS officers stopped him while he was in his vehicle and did not present an arrest warrant.
“I asked whether they had an arrest warrant. One of the NSS officers said there was no warrant,” he told the court. “I am a member of parliament and constitutionally protected by parliamentary immunity… The response was that impunity does not work.”
Lam said he did not resist arrest and complied with officers, who he alleged confiscated his mobile phones, identity card and other personal documents before placing him in a minibus.
“I chose not to provoke unnecessary confrontation. I cooperated fully and surrendered my belongings, including my phones and ID cards,” he said.
He told the court he was transported in a security minibus and seated between armed officers carrying AK-47 rifles.
“I was removed from my car and placed in a minibus, seated between two men armed with AK-47 rifles,” he said, adding that his vehicle keys were taken by security personnel.
Lam said officers drove him to the NSS headquarters, commonly known as the “Blue House,” where he was taken into detention. He also alleged that an officer attempted to blindfold him during the journey, but another officer objected.
“At the time, I realized the practical implications of the National Security Service Act provisions,” he said, referring to contested sections of the law.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng adjourned the proceedings until Wednesday, June 17, when Lam is expected to continue his defence.
Lam is one of eight defendants facing charges including treason, crimes against humanity, murder, terrorism and destruction of property in connection with the March 2025 attack on a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) base in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
Other co-accused include suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
Machar remains under house arrest, while the remaining defendants are detained by the NSS.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army militia killed 257 soldiers, including commander David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million during the attack.
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