Kiir Chol, a South Sudanese lawyer based in Juba, said he wants to lodge a new civil suit in the East African County of Justice against SPLM’s acting secretary general, Jemma Nunu Kumba next week.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj this afternoon, Chol said his complaint to the regional court next week seeks to stop the senior SPLM official from contesting for the position of the secretary general of the SPLM party led by President Salva Kiir pending the determination of a previous case challenging her at the regional court.
“Four months ago, I lodged a civil suit in the East African Court of Justice and they received it on April 9. But they failed to respond to the court within 45 according to the law. The court could continue with the case without the minister of justice who received the letter on their behalf,” he said.
The South Sudanese lawyer explained that he had sued SPLM’s acting secretary general Jemma Nunu Kumba, justice minister Paulino Wanawilla and Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut in the regional court for recognizing what he termed “illegal body” representing lawyers across South Sudan.
He explained that he went to the regional court to challenge the decision taken by the three officials to form a controversial Bar Association led James Al-Tayib Jaz saying the move violate the 2011 constitution.
The complaining lawyer said the country’s justice minister failed to respond to a letter sent by the East African Court of Justice on his law suit in April.
Chol argued that the SPLM’s secretary general Jemma Nunu Kumba should be prevented from contesting for any position in South Sudan until the case is determined by the Arusha-based regional court.
“She has a pending court case now and I have information that Jemma Nunu is vying for the position of SPLM secretary general when the general convention of the party is held,” Chol said.
Jemma Nunu Kumba could not immediately be reached for comment.