By Tereza Jeremiah Chuei
The Special High Court in Juba has charged the self-proclaimed prophet Abraham Chol Maketh of Contempt of Authority of the President and undermining the Authority of the President and the other, using the religion in political purpose.
The preliminary court ruling was made yesterday by the head of the prosecution panel, Judge Latjor Kueth Jal before adjourning the court hearing for 13th of December 2022 when the Accused Abraham Chol will be expected to admit whether he’s guilty or not guilty of the counts brought against him before the special high court.
Speaking to Journalists after the session, presiding judge Latjor Kueth said “Today we charged Abraham Chol and released the other accused, court released them without charges.”
“The only accused charged is only the main accused which is Abraham Chol and the Court also dropped some Charges presented to the prosecutor’s case which is section 48 and 63, 66, 75 and only charged the accused with section 76 and 202,” he said.
He added that the charges, “Which is Contempt of the Authority of the President and undermining the Authority of the President and the other, using the religion in political purpose.”
Chol will be sentenced according to section 76 and 202 of the South Sudan penal act 2022.
The sections are subverting constitutional Government, causing disaffection among police forces or Defense forces, Publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to South Sudan, and Undermining Authority of or insulting President.
Other possible sections referred to by the prosecution are insulting or inciting contempt of religious creed, Abuse of Religious and Noble Beliefs, act committed by several Persons in furtherance of common intention among others.
The self-proclaimed prophet Abraham Chol was arrested last year along with four others, for making a prophesy that President Salva Kiir and the First Vice President Dr Riek Machar would be Kicked out of the Office on Independence Day 9 July 2022.
Since then, he had been under detention till last month when he was produced in the special high court for trial, and the final court verdict is set to be pronounced next week.