By William Madouk
Member of Parliament at the national assembly, Juol Nhomngek has rejected summon by an adhoc investigation committee that wanted him to answer defamatory claims he allegedly labeled against speaker, Nunu Kumba.
Hon. Nhomngek, an MP representing Cueibet County of Lakes State at R-TNLA on the ticket of SPLM-IO, termed the summon as ‘incomplete’ and contrary to fair hearing as stipulated by laws.
“I am writing to officially inform you that I have received the ordinary document from your office … which is entitled ‘Summon to appear before the Ad-hoc investigation committee,” Nhomngek said in a document seen by this paper.
“However, the purported summon is incomplete, contrary to the requirement of fair hearing by the provisions of our TCSS, regional and international human rights laws,” he added.
According to him, for the said summon to be valid the committee must attach ‘the agenda of the day meeting, clearly stated order of the day’ as per regulation 32 of Business of Conduct Regulation.
And circulate it to all heads of the specialized committees in respective committees in accordance with regulation 33, 132, and 141 of the TNLA Conduct of Business Regulations.
He also added that resolution of the Assembly Business Committee (ABC) is required bearing signature from the chair, in headed letter with number of resolution and year indicated clearly.
The MP elaborated that, quorum of the ABC that sat to pass the resolution should be attached including their name mentioned as well as the venue of the meeting and date when ABC resolution was passed.
Nhomngek also stated that all original publications from where the charges of defamation from the quoted paragraphs in the ‘summon’ are found.
“Finally, the purported summon is incomplete. After supplying me with all the above listed information or documents, the summons will be in accordance with law and after that I request for adequate time (at least three days) so that I study the charges and prepare my response … in writing accordingly,” Nhomngek echoed.
He was reacting to a summon letter dated February 20, 2023 written by chair of Adhoc investigation committee, Rev. Michael Ayuen Johnson.
“You are hereby summoned to appear before the ad-hoc investigation committee formed by ABC in its resolution No. 02/2022 dated 8/12/2022,” Johnson said in a letter addressed to Nhomngek.
“You are required to answer questions on defamatory statement you alleged against Rt. Hon Jemma Nun Kumba,” the letter added.
Adhoc committee listed ten bulletins in which they saw Nhomngek defame the speaker, for instance he alleged that speaker own private company that is doing cleaning services in the parliament.
According to the committee, Nhomngek attributed failure of the parliament was because the head is not there to serve citizens but she is there to promote herself at the expense of the people of South Sudan.
Including allegation that, Nunu Kumba is paying her private company and secondly employees are being paid by parliament which is misappropriation of public funds, just to mention but a few.