Kwajok Court in Warrab State under the chairmanship of Judge Malwek Akok ruled against Dominic Deng, the former commissioner of Warrap’s Twic County, in a case brought by the Ajak-Kwach community over disappeared public revenues.
The Ajak-Kwach village committee had filed a lawsuit in court against Dominic Deng accusing him of carrying off the people’s compensation which was due to them by the Nile Petroleum Company, which is prospecting for oil in community’s territory.
Radio Tamazuj followed the case in court and spoke with lawyers and plaintiffs after the verdict in favor of the village committee on Tuesday.
Mr. Agok Makor, the community’s lawyer, stated that the court had begun its considerations since May 30. He said that today’s verdict was against the first defendant Dominic Deng, the former commissioner, and the second defendant, Yai Alier, a member of the local parliament. The judge ordered them to pay 524,370 South Sudanese pounds in compensation to Ajak-Kwoch village in addition to the fees of defense and court fees.
Mr. Makor viewed the ruling as a new precedent for the year-old country, suggesting the confidence of the people to take their rights.