The Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Jemma Nunu Kumba, has lifted the suspension of SPLM-IO’s MP after nearly five months.
In a letter dated August 10, 2023, Kumba ordered the suspension of Juol Nhomngek to be lifted and directed the Clerk and House Administration to carry out the order immediately.
“In accordance with regulation 56 (4) of the TNLA, Conduct of Business Regulation 2011 (Amended 22021), I, Jemma Nunu Kumba, Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, do hereby lift the Suspension of Order dated April 26, 2023, of Hon. Juol Nhomngek Daniel, effective from the date of signature of this Order,” the order reads.
On April 26, 2023, Kumba issued an order suspending Nhomngek from the August House for allegedly refusing to cooperate with the committee formed to investigate him on defamation allegations against her.
The lawmaker was accused of making controversial statements linking the speaker to misappropriation of funds in his social media post. Kumba’s office has since denied these allegations. The lawmaker was ordered to apologise to the speaker and was later on suspended after he failed to do so.
In May, 2023, the opposition Chief Whip and Chair of the SPLM-IO parliamentary Caucus in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly called on the speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba, to unconditionally revoke the suspension order on Juol Nhomngek.