A forensic analyst has told a special court in Juba that he was unable to extract any data from mobile phones and tablets belonging to SPLA-IO leader Dr Riek Machar because the required passwords and a related computer were not provided.
Testifying on Monday, forensic expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafhadi said the lack of access credentials made it impossible to conduct any digital analysis on the devices, which were submitted as evidence in the ongoing trial involving Dr Machar and seven other co-accused.
Mr. Rafhadi informed the court that he did not open the sealed evidence bag containing Dr Machar’s phone and tablet, citing professional and legal constraints.
He said the devices remain intact and securely preserved.
According to the expert, other forensic specialists advised him that no tools were available locally to bypass device passwords.
He explained that accessing the data would require sending the devices abroad to the original equipment manufacturer or a specialized overseas forensic laboratory.
“As a result, there is no data from Dr Machar’s phone or tablet to present before this court,” Rafhadi told the judges.
However, the forensic analyst presented findings from other accused persons’ devices.
He told the court that data extracted from the phone of accused number four, Gabriel Duop Lam, showed activity he described as consistent with anti-government mobilisation.
In addition, Rafhadi testified that information recovered from a Samsung phone belonging to accused number one, Pout Kang Chol, indicated what he termed as real-time access to battlefield intelligence.
The court adjourned the proceedings to Wednesday, when the forensic expert is expected to present further digital analysis related to the case.
