A High Court in Juba has postponed the second hearing of a treason case against Kuel Aguer Kuel, former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal to Wednesday next week.

The second hearing was initially scheduled for Friday, with the defense expected to have cross-examined the prosecution witnesses and the police investigator, followed by cross-examination by the defense. 

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, lead defense lawyer Kiir Chol said Duoth Kulang, one of the presiding judges, called both the defense and prosecution teams and informed them that one of the judges lost a close relative while the other had a sick mum.

“One member lost his relative, and the other one her mum is sick, so we remained with one judge, and in that situation, the court could not proceed because we only had one judge. Remember, the court consists of three judges, and if you have only one, then the quorum is not full. That is why the case is adjourned,” Chol said.

Kuel Aguer was arrested in July 2021 after signing the declaration by the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) calling for a change in government in South Sudan by way of a popular uprising.

The South Sudanese politician signed the PCCA declaration as a representative of the South Sudan intellectuals group together with civil society activist Rajab Mohandis and Abraham Awolich, a renowned researcher.

Mohandis and Awolich have since left the country.