Suspect Agany Kut Aguil (left) was produced before a GBV Court in Juba for the first time on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. (Photo: Michael Daniel).

Juba’s Gender-Based Violence Court on Tuesday adjourned the first hearing into the case of a man who allegedly gouged the eyes of his 17-year-old daughter in Warrap State, over the absence of a lawyer to represent the defendant.

On April 2, 2023, Agany Kut Achuil, a pharmacist in Tonj East County, was arrested for the brutal domestic violence against teenage daughter Akuot Agany after they disagreed over alleged forced marriage.

The incident sparked nationwide condemnation with many people deploring the crime and demanding accountability.

GBV Court Judge Garang Ajak on Tuesday adjourned what would have been the first hearing, due to the absence of the complainant and lack of a defence lawyer.

Suspect Kut said he has no one to represent him when he was asked by the court.

He eventually told the court that he has no objection to stand trial as long as a lawyer volunteers to defend him.

Pharmacist Kut He is being accused of grievously hurting his daughter without provocation, and attempted murder.

He was brought to Juba to face justice after the general prosecutor filed a police case against him.

According to the provisions of this section, in case of conviction, he shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or with a fine or with both.

However, the court adjourned the hearing to September 1, 2023, to listen to give time for the complainant and the investigators to prepare themselves.

“Today, we have a court session of the man who was accused of voluntarily causing Grievous Hurt without Provocation and attempted murder,” the general prosecutor, Majok Deng told Eye Radio after the session.

“The judge adjourned the session due to the absent of the complainer who is still in Tonj. As we know, this case happened there, so the court adjourned the case to first of September 2023 the court session will for hearing the complainer the investigator of the case.”

The survivor, 17-year-old Akuot has regained sight on one eye after undergoing treatment at the Saudi-German Hospital in Egypt.

On April 20 women’s group submitted a letter of condemnation and denunciation to the Ministry of Justice, demanding justice for the Akuot and holding the father accountable.