Author: Michael Daniel | Published: 38 minutes ago
Ex-Governor Riek Bim Top of Unity State. Photo credit: Office of the Governor | Facebook.
The Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Authority of Central Equatoria State has requested the handover of a former governor of Unity state Justice Riek Bim Top from military custody to civilian investigators in connection with an ongoing criminal case.
In a letter dated May 12, 2026, addressed to the Director of Military Justice at the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) General Headquarters in Bilpam, Juba, Senior Public Prosecution Attorney Latlatjor Kueth Jal called for the transfer of Maj. Gen. Riek Biem Top Long to the Northern Police Station under escort.
According to the letter, the request relates to Criminal Case No. 2598/2025, filed under Sections 48 and 293 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008, which concern acts committed by several persons in furtherance of a common intention and the offence of theft.
“The State Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Authority of Central Equatoria State would like to request your esteemed office to hand over the accused to Northern Police Station in regard to Criminal Case No. 2598/2025 under Section 48/293 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008,” the letter stated.
Section 48 holds that when a criminal act is committed by several persons with a common intention, each participant is legally liable as if they individually carried out the offence, while Section 293 defines theft as the dishonest taking of movable property without the owner’s consent with intent to permanently deprive the owner.
Following the prosecution’s request, the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Administration, Personnel and Finance, Lt. Gen. Kuol Deng-Abot Kuol, also wrote to the Chief of Defence Forces on the same day requesting the officer’s release for civilian investigation.
“I hereby forward this note to your esteemed office for the release of the above officer to Northern Police Station under escort,” Lt. Gen. Kuol stated in his communication.
He said the transfer would facilitate Maj. Gen. Riek Biem Top Long’s appearance before the Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Authority of Central Equatoria State for investigation.
The communications indicate coordination between civilian prosecution authorities and military justice institutions as part of the ongoing legal process.
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