16 officials were sentenced to life in prison for misappropriating 14 million USD and 30 thousand SSP from the the Office of the President, South Sudan's high court ruled on Monday.

Agok Makur, defense lawyer of the 16 former officials, said the ruling was unfair because each has a different case.

“We see this judgment as unfair because the 16 accused persons didn’t commit the crimes in specific way. Therefore, there is a difference in the case because each accused has committed different crime which their judgment may differ from one another,” Makur told press after the verdict was announced. “We as defense lawyers are ready to submit petition to the court of appeal”. He said within 15 days they have the chance to submit their petition.

On his part, Deng Achuil, prosecution lawyer said the 16 abused their power, misused their positions, and violated financial rules and regulations.