Former minister sues Wau state governor

March 8, 2016 (JUBA) – A former finance minister in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state, Lillian Valentino Rizik has sued the current governor of Wau state, Elias Waya Nyipuoch for allegedly defaming her.

Last month, Nyipuoch accused the former Western Bah el Ghazal governor Rizik Zackaria Hassan and the finance minister of stealing 6 million South Sudan pounds from the state government treasury, allegations the duo denied.

On Monday, however, the ex-finance minister was at Juba North Police station and demanded that the case be forward to the court so that Nyipuoch’s immunity is lifted to enable him respond to the corruption allegations.

“I need governor Waya to apologise over the matter or he should come to the court with legal document, detailing that I have withdrawn such amount of money from the government’s account,” said Rizik.

The former finance minister told Sudan Tribune that her defamation case has been opened under Article 138 of the South Sudanese Transitional Constitution.

Meanwhile Nyipuoch said he was ready to face Rizik in court over the corruption.

(ST)