A court in Rumbek has dismissed corruption charges leveled against the former director general in the ministry of finance in Western Lakes State and ordered for his immediate release.
Mr. Dut Riak Marol, a former director general in the state ministry of finance, was arrested on 8th March 2019 by the former governor of Western Lakes State John Deng Mamer. He was accused of having withdrawn $1,500 from the government account without permission.
According to a court order seen by Radio Tamazuj and signed by the president of the high court of Lakes state Mathiang Kuac Mathiang on Monday, the court ordered the release of Riak after it dismissed the corruption case against him under section 226 of the South Sudan Criminal Procedures Act 2008. The court also ordered the return of all personal belonging to Riak that had been confiscated by the police.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday after his release, Riak said he was found innocent by the court.
“Now, it is just today(Friday) when all of us appeared before the court for the final hearing which resulted into dismissal and cancellation of the case against me due to lack of substantial evidence produced before the state high court by the former governor ’s group,” he said.
Western Lakes' Information Minister Isaac Majak told Radio Tamazuj in March that Riak was being held for embezzling over $9,000 and would be charged for financial misconduct and corruption.
Instead, Riak said he had withdrawn money for emergency and preparations for the reception of President Salva Kiir who was touring greater Bahr el Ghazal region.
Riak went on to accuse former governor Mamer of raiding his home with his bodyguards and confiscating his personal money and properties.
“The former governor John Deng Mamer raided my own house and confiscated all my personal belonging which includes, 4 million South Sudanese pounds, and eight thousand one hundred and fourteen USD ($ 8,114), laptop computer, pistol, academic certificates, national and foreign passports, motorbike, and iPad,” he said.
He added, “The state high court asked them to return all my properties and money immediately.”
The state minister of finance in Western Lakes State Daniel Kuol Ayuilo and the acting accountant of the ministry Makuei Abiel who were prosecution witnesses declined to comment on the court order.