The trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-defendants was adjourned Friday to allow judges to review a defense objection challenging the authentication timeline of a re-submitted digital forensic report.
During the 54th session on Wednesday, defense lawyers questioned the certification dates attached to the report, telling the special court that discrepancies raised concerns about the prosecution’s evidence.
A digital forensic expert from South Africa re-submitted the report after judges earlier deferred prosecution filings, citing disorganization, missing pagination and unclear referencing that made it difficult for the court and defense team to follow the evidence.
At the 55th session in Juba on Friday, presiding judge James Alala Deng announced proceedings would be suspended until Monday, March 2, 2026, to allow the bench time to study the submissions before issuing a ruling.
“The document comprises different components and responses. We must give ourselves time to study and resume on Monday,” Deng said.
Defense lawyer Deng John Deng objected to prosecution document No. 9-H, which includes the digital forensic report, citing inconsistencies in the dates of authentication.
He argued that certificates of authentication dated Sept. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 11, 2025, were processed after the establishment of the special court on Sept. 1, 2025. He also said the report lacked authentication from the South African Embassy in Juba.
Responding before the adjournment, lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohissa said the defense had not cited any specific legal provisions that were breached in the authentication process.
“In all these observations by the defense, they make no mention of any law that has been breached,” Ony’Ohissa told the court.
He said the special court held its initial session on Sept. 22, 2025, when both sides were served with the order establishing the court, and that prior to that neither party was aware of its existence.
“The authentications were all done before Sept. 22, 2025, when we were served with the order of establishment,” he said. “In our law, there is nothing these dates contravene.”
Ony’Ohissa also dismissed the defense argument that the documents required authentication by the South African Embassy in Juba, calling the claim unsupported by law or established practice.
Presiding Judge Deng adjourned the case to March 2, when judges are expected to rule on the defense objection.
Riek Machar, 73, and his co-accused face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity. Machar is under house arrest, while the others are detained at National Security Service facilities in Juba.
The defendants are Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defense Forces soldiers, including commander Gen. David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment valued at about $58 million during an attack on the Nasir garrison in March 2025.