High Court adjourns first hearing in 2025 deaths of three sisters case

The High Court in Juba on Wednesday adjourned the first hearing in the case involving the deaths of three sisters who were found dead at a hotel in Juba’s Atlabara area in 2025 after the lead investigator failed to appear in court.

The hearing was postponed to 6 August 2026, despite the presence of High Court Judge Thomas Deng, the six accused persons, prosecutors and the defence team.

Speaking to Eye Radio after the session, defense lawyer Josephine Adhet Deng said the court had completed all the necessary arrangements to begin the hearing, including transferring the accused from Juba Central Prison and summoning the lead investigator.

However, she said the investigator failed to answer repeated phone calls from the court, prompting the judge to adjourn the proceedings. The accused were later returned to prison.

“The issue was with the investigator. We made all the arrangements. We transferred the accused from Juba Central Prison and successfully summoned the investigator. Today, all the parties were in court, including the judge, prosecutors, defence lawyers and the six accused. We tried to contact the investigator, but he did not answer our calls. That is why the case has been postponed to 6 August. This was the first hearing. The accused were brought from prison and have now been returned,” Adhet said.

The case stems from the deaths of three sisters, Achol Waat Arol, 21, Achol Chol Arol, 19, and Abeny Chol Arol, 15, who were found dead in a room at a hotel in Juba’s Atlabara neighborhood in March 2025.

At the time, investigators alleged that they suspected the sisters died after being exposed to toxic chemicals through the hotel’s air conditioning system.

The incident attracted widespread public attention and triggered a lengthy legal process.

In October 2025, former Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech ordered the reopening of the hotel and the release of suspects detained in connection with the case, arguing that their continued detention without trial had exceeded the legal time limit.

The decision sparked public debate.

The following month, members of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly demanded an explanation, questioning the legality of releasing the suspects and allowing the hotel to reopen while the criminal case remained unresolved.

The High Court is expected to resume hearing the case on 6 August 2026, when the prosecution is expected to present the testimony of its lead investigator.