SPLM-IO says decision of Governor Tong Akeen lifting immunity of anti-corruption boss ‘null and void’

JUBA — The main armed opposition SPLM-IO has rejected lifting of immunity of the Chairperson of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Anti-Corruption Commission Anei Rok Akuei, saying the decision by Governor Tong Akeen Ngor is null and void.

In a statement this week, Governor Tong lifted the immunity of Mr. Akuei who is also a senior member of the SPLM-IO after opening a court case against him over claims that he had defamed the governor.

On August 25, Mr. Akuei said in a statement that vehicles belonging to the state government “are being given out randomly to people who are not in the government leaving state officials walking on feet.”

The senior state government official also disclosed that the central government in Juba has been dispatching at least SSP260 million a month to the state government, but to his surprise the government has been paying civil servants on time as expected.

Governor Akeen then wrote to Akuei informing him that his immunity has been lifted as he is wanted to attend to a public prosecutor for hearing on the defamation allegations brought forward by the governor.

“In reference to the letter dated on 9th September 2022 with No. RSS/MoJ &CA/LA &PPA/A…..2022 from Aweil Town Public Prosecution Attorney office, I am here by writing to formally lift your immunity as constitutional post-holder with effect from the date of writing this letter for a needed probe at police office in Aweil Town Police Station to clear the alleged accusations against you,” Governor Tong said in the letter.

“You are requested under the case opened against you under case No. (2367) /2022, under section (289) of South Sudan Penal Code Act 2008, and the Director of Legal Administration and Public Prosecution had directed you to meet the prosecutor for you to answer some questions,” he added.

‘NULL AND VOID’

In a statement extended to Sudans Post,  SPLM-IO Chairperson in Northern Bahr el Ghazal Angelina Aweng Abraham condemned the lifting of immunity and accused Governor Tong Akeen of dictatorship, saying the anti-corruption boss has done nothing wrong to warrant lifting of immunity.

“It is with great disappointment and sense of displeasure to write this letter in response to the letter issued by honorable Tong Akeen Ngor, the Governor of Northern Bhar-el-Ghazal State on Wednesday, 14th, September,2022, lifting the immunity for chairperson of anti-corruption commission in Northern Bhar el Ghazal State Government,” the statement said.

“The SPLM-IO leadership, condemns this order in the strongest terms possible and this also shows that Governor Tong Akeen Ngor, is known for dictatorship, total tyranny and lack of democracy in his governance,” it added.

Ms. Abraham who is also the deputy speaker of parliament for Northern Bahr el Ghazal said Akuei spoke of corruption shr said is ongoing in the state and dismissed claims that he had defamed the governor.

“Honorable Anei Rok Akuei, talked of corruption at his level in the highest echelons of the government of Northern Bhar el Ghazal State and it is the order of the day. This is to be expected in a situation where there is no accountability of any sort. Personal loyalty, to be bought if necessary and possible, is what counts,” she said in the statement.

“The SPLM-IO leadership in Northern Bhar-Ghazal, repudiates the claims of honorable Tong Akeen that, he and his henchmen in the government have been defamed by honorable Anei Rok Akuei, the chairperson of anti-corruption commission during an interview conducted by different media outlets which we, in the SPLM-IO felt that honorable Anei Rok Akuei has absolute rights to disclose mismanagement of our local revenues, personal income taxes and unlawful usage of state’s resources for personal interests and gains by some government elites,” the statement added.

The statement further said that the lifting of immunity is not accepted by the SPLM-IO and that it is null and void and threatened that it will not leave stone unturned.

“This, has nothing to do with defamation as misconstrued by honorable Governor. The SPLM-IO position on this matter, is clear, given the fact that the procedure taken by honorable Governor Tong Akeen, in lifting the immunity of honorable Anei Rok Akuei, chairperson of anti-corruption commission, is null and void and no stone would be left unturned on this matter,” the statement said.

“Contrary to the revitalized agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the republic of South Sudan, Governor Tong Akeen Ngor, did not make prior consultations to the concern party’s leadership where honorable Anci Rok Akuei hails from, on the status or nature of his charges labelled against him,” it added.