The hearing, which marked the 20th session of the Special Court on the Nasir Incident, had just commenced when the blackout occurred, forcing the presiding judge, Stephen Simon, to suspend the proceedings.
All parties to the case were present at the scheduled start, except for the 4th and 6th accused—Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and Brig. Gen. Camilo Gatmai Kel—who were reported absent due to health complications.
Judge Simon subsequently announced that the hearing would resume on Friday, November 14, 2025. The court is expected to examine the Lead Investigator, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, when the session reconvenes.
On Monday, Wani claimed that the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Paul Nang Majok, verbally authorized the arrest of SPLA-IO Acting Chief of Staff Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam during a crackdown targeting SPLM/A-IO officials in March.
The nineteenth session of the ongoing focused on clarifying issues raised by the defense during earlier cross-examinations, where prosecutors questioned Gen. Wani about several matters, including the identity of individuals allegedly involved in the Nasir clashes and the authenticity of documents and digital evidence submitted before the court.
Responding to questions on whether the 2018 peace agreement protects the accused from prosecution, the investigator said the accord provides no such immunity, given that the charges involve what he described as “grave offenses.”
Gen. Wani also claimed before the court that a digital forensic analysis of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol’s phone revealed communication and a picture allegedly showing $30,000 worth of arms purchased through Brig. Gen. Hokdor Chuol. The evidence, he claimed, was sent to the minister by an individual identified as Chuol Gatnor.
