Riek Bim Top, Former Unity State Governor. [Photo: Courtesy]JUBA – Former Unity State Governor Riek Bim Top is facing a criminal investigation after a series of official correspondence between South Sudan’s civilian prosecution authorities and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) revealed efforts to secure his handover to police investigators in Juba.
The documents, dated between April and May 2026, indicate that the former governor, who also holds the military rank of Major General in the SSPDF, is wanted in connection with a criminal case registered under Sections 48 and 293 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008.
The first letter, dated April 17, 2026, was written by Senior Public Prosecution Attorney Latjor Kueth Jal from the Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Office of Central Equatoria State. Addressed to the Director of Military Justice of the SSPDF, the letter formally requested the handover of Bim Top to Northern Police Station in Juba.
According to the document, the request was made “for the purpose of investigation” in an undisclosed Criminal Case No. 2498/2025.
The prosecution office stated that the accused was required to appear before civilian investigators in relation to alleged offences cited under Sections 48 and 293 of the Penal Code Act. While the letters do not elaborate on the specific allegations, Section 293 of the Penal Code Act generally relates to offences involving criminal mischief or damage to property.
Nearly a month later, on May 11, 2026, the SSPDF military prosecution department also moved to facilitate the process.
In a letter addressed to Lt. Gen. Kuol Deng Abot, Lt. Col. Judge Advocate Andrew Riak Nyok, Head of the Military Prosecution Department, acknowledged that Bim Top was a senior officer attached to the SSPDF General Headquarters Administration.
The letter requested authorization for the officer to be escorted to the Northern Police Division for investigation purposes.
“The subject is a senior officer and belongs to SSPDF GHQS Admin. He is needed under escort to appear before the Northern police division for investigation after being charged under section 48/293 of the Penal Code Act 2008,” the letter partly reads.
A day later, on May 12, 2026, Kuol formally wrote to SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol requesting the release and transfer of the former Unity State governor to the police.
In the letter, Kuol stated that Bim Top was facing a criminal case before the Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Attorney of Central Equatoria State and was required at Northern Police Station for investigation.
“Based on this context, I hereby forward this note to your esteemed office for the release of the above officer to Northern Police Station under escort,” the letter stated.
The development marks one of the rare instances in which a senior military officer and former state governor in South Sudan has been subjected to coordinated civilian and military legal procedures.
Neither the prosecution authorities nor the SSPDF have publicly disclosed the detailed nature of the accusations against Bim Top, who served as the Unity State Governor for two years before his removal in March this year.
Sources familiar with the developments linked the criminal case to the killing in Abiemnhom County of Ruweng Administrative Area in early March, allegedly by youths from Unity State’s Mayom County under the leadership of Bim Top at the time.
