Samuel Garang Dut, an activist in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, renowned for bashing the state governor was on Monday afternoon released from the Aweil Central Prison after serving six months for defamation.
On 28 June, the High Court in Aweil town sentenced Samuel Garang Dut to eight months in jail and ordered him to pay SSP 2 million as compensation to Governor Tong Akeen Ngor for defamation.
Through a number of Facebook posts, the activist alleged that the governor sold huge quantities of cement, steel, and iron sheets which were meant for drainage systems within and outside Aweil town. He also claimed that the governor used public funds to renovate his Juba house.
Upon his release, Garang told Radio Tamazuj that he would follow up on the appeal he lodged in Wau against the ruling of the Aweil High Court because his conviction was political and contravened his right to expression and opinion.
“My conviction was not fair. First of all, as a South Sudan citizen, the constitution gives me the right to express my opinion,” Garang said. “What I expressed that time was my opinion but the governor did not like the opinion that I expressed. He used the court and the judge to have me sentenced. What I said was the truth; defamation is when you say something that does not have basis.”
He added: “I appealed in the Court of Appeal in Wau and the result is pending. I will have to wait for the result. It will be up to the court in Wau to determine whether it will be in my favor or in favor of Governor Tong Akeen Ngor. I can still appeal to the Supreme Court in Juba.”
Madut Santino, the activist’s lawyer, said his client has served his sentence and that the Court of Appeal will determine whether he should pay the SSP 2 million fine to the governor.
“He served the 8 months prison sentence and what remains is that we are waiting for the Court of Appeal in Wau to rule,” Madut said. “The appeal ruling will help us a lot in addressing the issue of the SSP 2 million compensation. If it comes in the governor’s favor, we will pay it and if they rule in our favor, then we will not pay.”
The activist’s wife, Achol Thiang Ariath, who has repeatedly been calling for the release of her husband over the last few months was ecstatic and said his release was good news for the family.
“Yes, he was released from the prison today (Monday) and it is very good news for us as a family,” Achol said. “Living without him in many months was not good.”