A South African digital forensic expert on Monday accused Mam Pal Dhuor, one of eight accused, of unlawfully disclosing top-secret information related to the March 2025 attack on the military garrison in Nasir.
Ratlhogo Peter Calvin told the court that Mam Pal shared sensitive operational details connected to the garrison attack, including information on mobilisation, intelligence procedures, and organised militia strategies.
Peter testified during the 46th court session, appearing as the prosecution’s final witness in proceedings led by state prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa Igele at Freedom Hall in Juba.
He presented video and photographic evidence allegedly showing Mam Pal disclosing confidential information. The material was said to have been retrieved from a Samsung Galaxy 2 (folder six), an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and a Nokia device manufactured by HMD Global OY.
Peter also submitted digital evidence, including WhatsApp messages exchanged between Mam Pal and several individuals identified as Buom Janguan, William Deng, Gatriathiang, and General Hokdor Chuol.
Among the exhibits was a WhatsApp exchange with William Deng referring to a meeting involving First Vice President Riek Machar, then Nasir county commissioner Gatluak Lew, paramount chiefs, youth representatives, and White Army leader Tor Gille Thoan, who was later killed during the attack.
“Our Almighty God be with them to overrun the SSPDF Dinka,” read one message presented to the court.
Another WhatsApp message attributed to William Deng stated: “Good morning General, the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar held a meeting with the Nasir commissioner and White Army leaders to allow the SSPDF soldiers into Nasir, but they refused.”
Peter also presented images of rifle bullets allegedly used during the attack on the Nasir garrison.
“Our White Army is refusing to listen to the messages from our chairman. I think they will be fighting tomorrow morning,” read a message attributed to Buom Janguan.
The digital forensic expert revealed that Mam Pal was informed via a message about the arrest of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang, stating that he had been taken to “the Blue House,” a reference to South Sudan’s National Security Service headquarters.
Further evidence included a WhatsApp message shared with Mam Pal listing the names of people killed during an attack on the Nasir garrison, including one Tor Gile Thoan. In a separate exchange, a message stated: “We pray that God grants our youth success in driving the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces out of Nasir,” to which Mam Pal reportedly replied, “Amen.”
The expert also presented a screenshot of a money transfer receipt showing that Mam Pal sent $15,000 to a recipient in the United Arab Emirates, alongside photographs of Kalashnikov rifle ammunition.
Peter concluded that Mam Pal was a member of several WhatsApp groups opposed to the government and had shared a letter from First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar addressed to the president with multiple contacts.
The court adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, February 4, 2026, when proceedings are expected to continue with further presentation of the forensic expert’s findings.
Separately, defence lawyers for Machar and the other co-accused on Monday accused security authorities managing detention facilities of mistreating and humiliating the detainees.
During the same court session, lead defence lawyer Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge told the court that the accused were subjected to degrading treatment, including bans on wearing suits, intrusive searches, and the confiscation of personal books.
The defence filed two applications — one seeking permission to visit the accused in detention and another alleging violations of the detainees’ constitutional rights.
Raimondo argued that denying the accused suits, confiscating their books, and conducting humiliating searches violated constitutional guarantees of dignity.
“The accused are not allowed to wear suits, their books were taken, and they are being humiliated,” Raimondo told the court, asking it to order the National Security Service (NSS) to return the books and halt what he described as degrading practices.
Responding for the prosecution team, Ajo Ony’Ohisa Igele said the state had no objection to defence lawyers visiting their clients, provided such visits complied with detention facility rules.
He rejected the mistreatment allegations, saying searches and dress restrictions were regulated by facility procedures and were not intended to humiliate detainees.
Citing Section 93(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure 2008, the prosecutor said arrested persons were required to comply with the rules governing their custody.
“Searches and restrictions are not meant to humiliate the accused but to comply with the rules and regulations of the facilities where they are kept,” Ony’Ohisa told the court.
The prosecution said all detainees had been treated with dignity, noting that none had appeared in court in prison uniforms, none had been shackled, and that detainees were allowed family visits, medical care, and access during public holidays.
Prosecutors added that searches were intensified after detainees were found in possession of radios and letters, which they said raised security concerns. They urged the court to dismiss what they described as unfounded claims.
In rebuttal, the defence said the prosecution’s response was misleading, arguing that some accused had been searched down to their inner clothing.
“What our clients mean is not refusal to be searched — we are all searched — but the manner in which it is done,” the defence told the court, insisting the issue involved constitutional rights.
The defence added that the accused had not previously complained about food or protection but urged the court to intervene to ensure humane treatment.
After hearing arguments, the court said proceedings would continue as it considers the applications.
Machar and his co-accused face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity.
The eight defendants are Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Riek Machar Teny, 73; 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 SSPDF soldiers — including commander General David Majur Dak — and destroyed or seized military equipment valued at about $58 million during the Nasir attack in March 2025.