CES ad hock committee and governor Adil discuss the probe findings |Courtesy |Office of the governor

Two ad hoc committees investigating major land-related controversies in Central Equatoria State have formally handed over their reports to Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony.

According to an official communication from the Governor’s Office, the submissions were made yesterday.

The first committee was tasked with probing allegations that some state officials were involved in the illegal sale of government-owned land.

On November 7, former governor, Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, suspended and lifted the immunity of three senior officials, including two advisors, over alleged corruption related to the sale of government assets.

The officials include Angelo Daya Lodu, Advisor on Peace and Security, Taban Clement Oliver, the State Deputy Secretary General, and Ugo Aurelius Chichim, the Technical Advisor for Communication and Public Affairs in the Ministry of Information and Communication.

A second committee, assigned to resolve a long-standing land dispute involving St. Stephen’s Church and residents of Hai Gezira in Munuki, also presented its report.

The details of the findings have not been made public.

However, following the handover, Governor Adil directed the Minister of Cabinet Affairs to instruct the State Minister of Housing, Land and Public Utilities to immediately begin implementing key recommendations.

He further called for peaceful and inclusive engagement between St. Stephen’s Church and the affected residents in an effort to reach a harmonious settlement.

The head of the committees, State Legal Affairs Advisor Naphtali Hassan Gale, urged the public to remain calm and to avoid purchasing government property through unauthorized channels, warning citizens to exercise caution in all land-acquisition matters.