By Tereza Jeremiah Chuei
Kiir Chol Deng a defense lawyer representing the Former Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal Kuel Aguer, yesterday appealed to the court to allow him have access to his client as court trials proceed.
He said there is no way that he can be defending him without communication, “How will I represent him, if I don’t meet him” he questioned
Commenting yesterday after the adjournment of the Court hearing to Monday, advocate Chol requested the presiding judge that he should be granted access to his client amid the court trial period.
“Maulana I have a request, Minister of Interior instructed that the accused shouldn’t be seen by a judge or not even the family members, we need direction from you, how will I represent the accused if I don’t met him” he queried.
“He is old in age he is sick with Diabetes, if he doesn’t have food brought by his wife to him he will die in prison,” the defense lawyer submitted.
Kuel Aguer is battling a case brought against him by the state connected to the so-called People’s Coalition for Civil Action or PCCA a civil movement accused of orchestrating to overthrow the government of President Salva Kiir.
The former Northern Bahr el Ghazal governor has been accused alongside his co-accused such as; Abraham Awolich, Rajab Muhandis, Wani Michael, Jame David Kolok, Manas Mathiang and Daniel Makau.
However Kuel and the self-proclaimed prophet Abraham Chol both of who had been in detention for about a year are the only ones facing the court of law.
The first accused Kuel Aguer Kuel was arrested on August 2nd 2021, for co-founding the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) a group that called for peaceful protest across the country on August 30th 2021, to force the Transitional government to step down.
Kuel is being charged with five offences against the State, including overthrowing constitutional government, insurgency, banditry, sabotage, or terrorism and causing disaffection among defense forces.
Latjor Kueth Jal who earlier read the Statement on behalf of the directorate of public persecution and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs said the case was in accordance with section 183 and 224 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act 2008.
He added that the accused Kuel and other accused who fled, didn’t respect the constitution that grant the freedom of Association, citing that they went ahead and formed an illegal Political Organization known as the People’s Coalition for Civil Action or PCCA and signed the declaration on July 30th 2021.
Latjor revealed that the exhibit found in possession of former governor were MacBook, three Mobile phone, three Flash dicks, and an adopter.
However, evidence’ presented to the prosecution panel to court included online publication, post-video, Audio, recorded testimony, expert opinions, impounded exhibits, and digital evidence as well as websites, declaration and distributed circulars.
The investigative Officer, Mandela Mustafa, presented the evidence before court with many of them being electronic items belonging to Aguer.