South Sudan Government Summoned By EACJ

The government of South Sudan has been summoned before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) over accusations relating to the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of businessman Kerbino Wol Agok.

Lawyers representing Agok claim that state agents arrested him in April of last year and that he has been kept in detention ever since without any charges being filed. They also claim that he has been denied access to his lawyers and medical care during this period, prompting them to refer the case to the regional court.  

According to a statement in the name of the president of the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU), Emeka Obegolu, “The EACJ has issued summons to the Minister of Justice of the Government of South Sudan to appear before it on March 25, 2019 in the case of prominent South Sudanese businessman and philanthropist, Kerbino Wol Agok.”

The statement goes on to say that PALU is seeking “the Court to declare that Mr Agok’s rights have been violated; to order his release; to order the reopening of his businesses and the return of his money; and that Kerbino be compensated by way of reparations and damages," the statement continues. 

The summons has been welcomed by Amnesty International