Santino Moyo Gordon: Adultery Arrest in Wulu Sparks Political Row

• Santino Moyo Gordon, an SPLM candidate for Wulu County secretary, was arrested on Sunday for alleged adultery ahead of primary elections.
• The adultery accusation from last month was initially resolved amicably with a payment of one cow, but the complainant re-arrested Mr. Gordon over an outstanding amount.
• Police had previously released Mr. Gordon after the complainant refused to bring his wife to formalize the adultery charges under traditional law.
• Supporters claim the Wulu County secretary arrest is politically motivated to prevent Mr. Gordon from participating in the SPLM primaries.
• State officials confirmed the arrest but denied political motives, stating the elections would proceed regardless of Mr. Gordon's release.

Supporters of Santino Moyo Gordon firmly believe his arrest is a politically motivated maneuver.

Santino Moyo Gordon, a candidate vying for the position of SPLM Party Wulu County secretary, was taken into custody on Sunday following allegations of adultery. This arrest occurred just days before the scheduled party congresses and primary elections, set to commence on Tuesday in Lakes State’s Wulu County. Supporters of Mr. Gordon contend that the charges are politically motivated, designed to remove him from the electoral contest.

The adultery accusation against Mr. Gordon dates back to the previous month, involving the wife of another individual. According to William Mayiei, the Wulu County youth representative, this earlier incident was resolved amicably. The families involved reached an agreement under which the husband of the woman would receive one cow from Mr. Gordon, a settlement facilitated by their familial ties. Mr. Gordon also provided some money, with a small outstanding amount remaining. Despite this prior resolution, Mr. Gordon was re-arrested on Sunday by the same complainant, who insisted on receiving the remaining payment.

The initial resolution of the adultery claim against Santino Moyo Gordon highlights the role of traditional law in South Sudan. The agreement to pay one cow to the aggrieved husband reflects customary practices for settling such disputes within families. However, the situation escalated when the complainant sought formal legal action. Police officers reportedly advised the complainant that to open a formal case and claim the traditional compensation of seven cows, his wife would need to appear at the station. The complainant declined to bring his wife, leading the police to release Mr. Gordon, stating they could not hold him without the wife's presence.

The subsequent re-arrest of Santino Moyo Gordon on Sunday evening by the complainant, despite the police's earlier stance, underscores the complex enforcement mechanisms in Wulu. Mr. Mayiei suggested that the complainant's actions, particularly the insistence on the remaining payment and the timing of the re-arrest, point to a politically orchestrated event. This incident raises questions about the procedural requirements for formal adultery charges in South Sudan and how customary law settlements can be revisited or challenged.

Supporters of Santino Moyo Gordon firmly believe his arrest is a politically motivated maneuver. William Mayiei explicitly stated that an opponent of Mr. Gordon, along with their supporters, orchestrated the detention to ensure he remains in police custody until the primary elections conclude on Tuesday. They argue that Mr. Gordon's opponent fears his electoral strength and has resorted to "underhanded methods" to gain an advantage.

In response to the situation, Mr. Gordon's supporters appealed to county authorities in Wulu, requesting his release to participate in the primaries, with the case to proceed regardless of the election outcome. They also escalated the matter to SPLM State Secretary Abraham Mayen Kuc, who subsequently contacted Justin Majok Manyiel, the Wulu County commissioner. However, the specifics of that communication remain unknown, as Mr. Gordon has not been released. William Koji Kirjok, the state’s caretaker information minister, confirmed the Wulu County secretary arrest but denied any political motivation, characterizing it as a "private issue involving another man." He affirmed that Justin Majok Manyiel, the Wulu County commissioner, is actively working to secure Mr. Gordon's immediate release to allow him to contest the SPLM primary elections. Despite this, Justin Majok Manyiel, the commissioner, reportedly stated that the primaries and congress elections would proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, irrespective of Mr. Gordon's custody status.

This case highlights the complex interplay between customary law and formal legal processes in South Sudan, particularly when political motivations are suspected. Lawyers should advise clients on the potential for traditional resolutions (like the 'one cow' settlement) to be challenged or weaponized, and the procedural requirements for formal charges under statutory law, such as the need for a complainant's full cooperation and evidence, which can prevent arbitrary detention.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj.