National MP Juol Nhomngek. (Courtesy).

The Speaker of the national assembly has suspended lawmaker Joul Nhomngek Daniel from the August House for refusing to cooperate with the Committee investigating defamation allegations.

In an order dated 26^th of April, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba cited the resolution of the Assembly Business Committee on December 8^th, 2022, and the formation of the Investigation Committee this year.

In a separate statement dated 27^th of April 2023, Assembly Clerk Makuac Makuac Nnong wrote a notification to MP Nhomngek on his suspension.

In a report titled: Ad Hoc Investigation Committee on Alleged Defamation of Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba by Hon. Juol Nhomngek Daniel, the Committee recommended the suspension of the lawmaker.

The Ad Hoc Investigation Committee appointed by the speaker were tasked to investigate  Nhomngek over an accusation he labelled against the Speaker.

According to the report dated March 3, 2023, the suspended MP accused Speaker Nunu of having a private company offering cleaning services at the parliament, which is interfering with the management of public finance in the August House.

It says Hon. Nhomngek complained about the payment of employees out of the public revenues.

The report indicates that the MP had accused the Speaker of signing contracts unilaterally in the parliament contrary to the rules and procedures of August House.

It also stated that Hon. Nhomngek claimed that the Speaker has taken the work of nominating members for foreign trips without the Chief Whips – a situation that he says deprives the majority of legislators of privileges.

According to the Committee report, Nhomngek refused to cooperate with the investigation and objected to giving a statement after he was summoned three times.

The committee wrote in the report that the MP has questioned their legality.

As a result, the Committee recommended consequences for the contempt under TNLA Regulation 59 (1,2, and 3) which states that “should a member complain against, refuse to apologize, the Speaker shall suspend him/her from the services of the House for the remaining period of the session and shall not receive any remuneration from the Assembly.”