Liberia: Executive Mansion, Senate’s Endorsement of Majority Bloc Amid MOJ Opinion Sparks Outrage As Rep Foko Complains Tweh to Supreme Court
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The ongoing energy wrestle on Capitol Hill has sparked widespread public outrage following the Executive Mansion and Liberian Senate’s endorsement of Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh’s opinion that the Supreme Court’s ruling favored the Majority Bloc within the House of Representatives.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
On Tuesday, Cllr. Tweh opined on the Supreme Court’s choice relating to the legislative deadlock, asserting that the Court’s ruling validated the actions of the Majority Bloc. According to him, the Court didn’t declare any of their actions unlawful.
The dispute facilities on a petition filed by Speaker J. Fonati Koffa requesting the Supreme Court to nullify the Majority Bloc’s periods, and the suspension of three lawmakers (Reps. Abu Bana Kamara, Edward Flomo, and Marvin Cole), the restructuring of House committees, and the seizure of the draft 2025 nationwide finances.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court acknowledged: “Any sittings or actions by members of the Legislature not in conformity with the intent of Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution are ultra vires. Hence, Members of the House of Representatives are to conduct themselves accordingly.” This choice sparked combined reactions, with each factions claiming victory.
Justice Minister’s Interpretation
Following the ruling, President Joseph Boakai sought authorized recommendation from Cllr. Tweh, who concluded that the Majority Bloc met the constitutional necessities for holding legislative periods.
“My reading of the Court’s Opinion and the analysis made above, dictate what constitutes a valid, legal and constitutional Plenary of the House of Representatives, as quoted in the Court’s opinion, bring me to the conclusion that the majority members of the House of Representatives met the constitutional requirements explicated by the Court to hold Session and take decisions consistent with the laws of the Country and the Rules of the House of Representatives,” Minister Tweh acknowledged.
He continued: “Therefore, I am of the considered opinion and the law supports my opinion, that the budgetary process can be legally carried out by the majority members provided they meet the same standards laid out by the Supreme Court’s opinion, forming an integral part of my opinion, and that any decision therefrom is constitutional, legal and valid.”
The Justice Minister’s opinion, later endorsed by the Executive Mansion and the Senate, triggered a wave of public criticism.
Backlash Against the Justice Minister
Rep. Frank Saah Foko (CDC, District 9, Montserrado Co.), an ally of Speaker Koffa, filed a grievance with the Supreme Court accusing Cllr. Tweh of contempt. Foko argued that Tweh’s opinion undermined the Court’s authority and contributed to unconstitutional actions by the Senate.
Foko requested the Court to research Tweh for gross misconduct and refer him to the Grievance and Ethics Committee of the Supreme Court Bar for additional motion. He additionally referred to as on the Court to reaffirm its authority and concern a press release clarifying the binding nature of its rulings.
He stated: “As a senior legal professional and chief legal advisor to the President, the Justice Minister’s actions undermine the authority of the Honorable Supreme Court, destabilize constitutional governance, and damage the public’s trust in the judiciary. In light of these grave concerns, I humbly request the following actions: Contempt of Court: That the Honorable Supreme Court investigate the Justice Minister for contempt of court for issuing an opinion that disregards and undermines the binding ruling of the Court.”
Foko’s colleagues, Rep Musa Bility (District 7, Nimba Co.) wrote on his Facebook web page: Democracy has fallen.
Diverging Opinions within the Senate
Not all Senators supported the choice to endorse the Majority Bloc. Senator Nathaniel McGill criticized the transfer, calling it a misinterpretation of the Supreme Court ruling.
“I categorically distance myself from the Senate’s decision to recognize Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker. The Supreme Court ruling was clear,” McGill acknowledged.
Senators Albert Chie and Amara Konneh additionally expressed issues, with Chie describing the choice as inaccurate and Konneh criticizing the dearth of broad-based session.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Renowned constitutional lawyer Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe referred to as Tweh’s opinion a “complete contradiction” of the Supreme Court’s ruling and accused the Justice Minister of endorsing actions tantamount to treason. Gongloe urged the Executive and Senate to rethink their positions.
Cllr. Syrenius Cephus emphasised that the Supreme Court’s rulings are binding and can’t be outmoded by a lawyer’s opinion. He famous that the Court had issued a keep order restoring the established order ante, which ought to have invalidated subsequent actions by the Majority Bloc.
International Community Monitoring
The political turmoil on the Liberian Legislature has drawn worldwide consideration. Diplomatic sources knowledgeable FrontPage Africa that the continuing clashes between legislative factions and safety forces on the Capitol, in addition to makes an attempt to unseat Speaker Koffa, are being intently monitored.
Domestically, public criticism of Justice Minister Tweh’s opinion continues to mount, with many Liberians expressing concern over the potential for escalating political and constitutional crises.
