The Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Authority of Central Equatoria State has requested the handover of former Unity State governor and senior military officer Riek Biem Top from military custody to civilian investigators in connection with an alleged criminal case.
According to official correspondence seen by this publication, the request was communicated through a series of letters exchanged between the prosecution authority, the Directorate of Military Justice, and senior command within the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces.
In a letter dated May 12, 2026, addressed to the Chief of Defence Forces, General Santino Deng Wol Chok, the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Administration, Personnel and Finance, Lt. Gen. Kuol Deng-Abot Kuol, requested the release of Maj. Gen. Riek Biem Top Long to Northern Police Station under escort.
The letter stated that the former governor is “charged under Criminal Case number 2598/2025 under section 48/293 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008” and is required to appear before the Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Attorney of Central Equatoria State “for the purpose of investigation.”
Lt. Gen. Kuol said the request followed communication from civilian prosecutors and military justice authorities seeking cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
A separate letter from the Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Attorney of Central Equatoria State, signed by Senior Public Prosecution Attorney Latjor Kueth Jal, formally requested military authorities to hand over the accused officer to Northern Police Station.
The prosecution office said the request relates to Criminal Case No. 2498/2025 under Sections 48 and 293 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008.
“Your kindly quick response is highly appreciated,” the prosecution letter stated.
Meanwhile, the Office of Military Prosecution within the SSPDF Directorate for Military Justice also recommended the release of the senior officer for investigation purposes.
In correspondence dated May 11, 2026, Lt. Col. Judge Advocate Andrew Riak Nyok, Head of the Military Prosecution Department, informed Lt. Gen. Kuol Deng Abot that Maj. Gen. Riek Bim Top Long was needed under escort to appear before Northern Police Division following charges under Sections 48 and 293 of the Penal Code Act.
“The subject is a senior officer and belongs SSPDF GHQs Admin,” the military prosecution letter noted, while requesting “necessary facilitation” for the transfer.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the details of the allegations linked to the criminal case, and no formal charges have yet been announced in court.
The case has attracted attention due to Riek Biem Top Long’s former role as governor of Unity State and his senior position within military and judicial structures.
Neither representatives of the former governor nor SSPDF spokespersons have publicly commented on the allegations or the request for transfer.
Under South Sudanese law, any suspect under investigation remains presumed innocent until proven guilty before a competent court of law.
