Victims of 2024 Akol Koor residence clash seek over $340,000 in compensation from Defence Ministry

Two victims injured during a November 2024 armed confrontation between bodyguards of former NSS chief Akol Koor and SSPDF soldiers are seeking $341,150 in compensation from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs. A court in Juba is expected to deliver its judgment in the case on Tuesday, October 27.

Presiding Judge Ajok Tito Tilar adjourned the ruling, which had been scheduled for Monday, citing a busy court schedule. The judgment is now expected on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.

The two plaintiffs, Advocate Manawa Gabriel and Agum Andria, are seeking compensation for injuries and property losses they say they suffered during the incident on 21 November 2024.

According to their lawyer, Angelo Thon Pal, the confrontation occurred at around 7 p.m. near the residence of former Director of National Security General Akol Koor, who remains under house arrest, according to the account presented in court.

Thon said both plaintiffs sustained serious injuries to different parts of their bodies and required medical treatment.

He said Manawa Gabriel’s disability was assessed at 60 percent by the National Medical Commission.

Gabriel is seeking $260,150 in compensation, while Agum Andria is claiming $81,000 for material losses. The two claims amount to $341,150, excluding additional requests for legal fees and other court-related costs.

The lawyer said the plaintiffs initially sought assistance through a presidentially appointed investigation committee established in December 2024 to investigate the incident.

The committee was led by Lieutenant General James Kong, the current Governor of Upper Nile State.

According to Thon, the two victims met the committee at the army’s General Headquarters and submitted the requested supporting documents.

He said the committee completed its work and submitted its report to the Presidency, but the plaintiffs had not received the outcome.

Thon said the plaintiffs subsequently decided to seek legal redress after receiving no response from the authorities regarding the outcome of the investigation.

He said they first notified the Ministry of Defence through the Ministry of Justice, but the ministry did not respond to the notification. The Ministry of Justice subsequently granted them permission to sue.

The civil case, number 276 of 2026, was assigned to Judge Ajok Tito Tilar.

Thon said the Ministry of Defence was served with a summons through its legal adviser and attended several court sessions.

He added that the court had given the parties an opportunity to settle the dispute amicably, but no agreement was reached.

Thon said the plaintiffs later asked the court to proceed with recording their statements in the absence of the ministry’s representative.

In addition to compensation for physical injuries and material losses, the plaintiffs are seeking damages for moral harm, medical expenses, court fees and lawyers’ costs.

The requested compensation has not yet been awarded, and the outcome will depend on the court’s ruling.

Angelo Thon Pal, lawyer for the plaintiffs, speaks to the media at the court on Monday.

“The presiding judge has decided to adjourn the pronouncement of the judgment until tomorrow, October 27, 2026,” Thon said.

“They are seeking compensation for the damages or losses they suffered during the incident. They have also asked the court to order the defendant to cover their legal fees and other associated costs,” he stated.

“Manawa is seeking 260,150 US dollars in compensation, while Madam Agum is asking the court to order the Ministry of Defence to pay her 81,000 US dollars,” he added.