A dissident group comprises leading members of the opposition Democratic Change Party led by Andrew Okony has decided to file a lawsuit against the agriculture minister Onoyoti Adigo claiming he is not the legitimate party leader.

Onyoti took over the party chairmanship after Lam Akol resigned and formed a rebel group last year. But Onyoti’s election to the position was disputed by senior members of the party, promoting him to dismiss his opponents in January this year.

Andrew Okony, who claims to be the legitimate party leader, said in a press statement at the high court in Juba today that his group will formally file a case against the agriculture minister for taking over the party leadership illegally on Tuesday.

He further said they had failed to resolve their internal differences in the divided party after Lam Akol resigned last year, saying the party didn’t have enough money to hold an extraordinary convention to elect a new leader.

The group's secretary general Deng Bior accused the faction led by Onyoti of violating laws and looting the party's property.

The group’s lawyer Malual Duar said he found that there was a violation of the party law and that he had submitted a complaint to the Political Parties Council on the matter.

However, Lual said the council failed to submit any report or reply to the complaint, adding that he will file a lawsuit to the chief justice on Tuesday on behalf of his client.

Ismail Suleiman, the deputy head of the national alliance of opposition political parties said they support Okony’s group to file a lawsuit against the agriculture minister Onyoti for taking over the party leadership illegally.

Onyoti’s group could not immediately be reached for comment.