Appeal for jailed 16 over President Kiir’s office theft
June 28, 2016 (JUBA) – A team of defence lawyers is challenging life sentence handed down to 16 individuals including top aides to President Salva Kiir for stealing 14 million US dollars and 30 million South Sudanese pounds early this month.
“We applied to the Court of Appeal to look into the decision of the High Court judge because the judgement which was passed was in violation of the Constitutional right of the accused persons,” said Bol.
He alleged that the ruling was more political than legal, arguing that all the 16 should not have been given equal sentences while they played different roles in the crime.
“It is a political decision because in any crime, there must be a role played by anyone and when it comes to crimes, it cannot be equally judged completely,” he said.
Among the convicts is former chief administrator in the Office of the President, Mayen Wol and President Kiir’s executive director, Yel Luol. Both are from Warrap state, home to President Salva Kiir.
Among the 16 convicted of the crime of stealing the money include four Kenyan nationals who helped in the stealing processes.
The top aides in President Kiir’s office were arrested following information relied to the detectives by one security agent, John Agou, who was arrested in May 2015 for forging Seal of the Republic and signature of President to fraud government treasury.
Agou, who was described as the top suspect, is also sentenced to life imprisonment alongside his wife, Anyieth Chaat Paul and his father-in-law Chaat Paul. His wife Anyieth is accused of tempering with investigation but his father-in-law who was working as director of communication in the Office of the President is convicted of helping to steal the funds using President Kiir’s name.
The Appeal Court has 60 days to respond to the application from the defence lawyers. It could reject the appeal or accept to hear the case.
While four of the convicts are Kenyans, twelve are South Sudanese working either in the president’s office, central bank of South Sudan or in the ministry of finance.
As many South Sudanese have applauded the sentencing of the criminals to life imprisonment, others doubt that the highest authorities may come out to pardon some of these convicts in the future and secure their release.
(ST)