Yel Luol Koor, former executive director in the office of President Kiir, who was released on bail after being sentenced for life imprisonment over corruption and forgery said he was grateful for the release on bail.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Yel expressed his happiness about the release and thank the government for allowing the court to accept appeals made by their lawyers to review their cases.

“I am grateful, particularly to the government and more especially to his Excellency the President, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit for our release,” he said.

“It is a very important gesture to us, our families and the country,” he added.

South Sudan’s High Court on Thursday last week granted bail to four former top presidential aides, who were sentenced to life in prison in June 2016 for forgery and corruption in President Kiir’s office.

The bail was granted to Mayen Wol Jong, the former chief administrator in the office of President Kiir and Yel Luol Koor, who was the executive director in the office of the President.

Chaat Paul Nul, the former director general of communications and public relations in the office of President Kiir and Anna Kalisto Ladu, who previously served as senior cashier in the office of the president were also granted bail.

The court had sentenced at least 16 former officials, including top presidential aides, to life imprisonment for stealing over $14 million and 30 million South Sudanese pounds.