Liberia: Majority Bloc Makes use of Rescinded Signatures in Resolution to Oust Speaker Koffa
Monrovia – A dramatic energy battle unfolded on Capitol Hill on Thursday because the House of Representatives cut up into two factions, every claiming its personal Speaker. The Majority Bloc, which has been holding parallel periods, elected Representative Richard Nagbe Koon (UP, District #11, Montserrado) as their Speaker, whereas the Pro-Koffa group continues to acknowledge J. Fonati Koffa because the rightful chief.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The occasion started within the joint chamber with the bulk bloc endorsing the report of its particular committee set as much as examine House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. The group had accused Speaker Koffa of battle of curiosity and corruption. Immediately after the report, the Majority bloc introduced a decision calling for the elimination of the Speaker. following the studying, a movement was proffered by Rep. James Kolleh (District #2, Bong County) calling for the physique to declare the seat of the speakership vacant. His movement additionally known as on the Executive to strip Speaker Koffa of his immunity. Legislatively, this could have been a very powerful movement proffered within the Majority bloc’s quest to take away the Speaker, however some members on the ground known as on the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Fallah to not name for a vote. After a collection of whispers, the decision was famous by the bulk bloc and no voted was taken.
Some members, citing Article 49 of the Constitution, mentioned there was no have to take a vote.
Article 49 states “The House of Representative shall elect once every six years a Speaker who shall be the presiding officer of that body, a Deputy Speaker, and such other officers shall ensure the proper functioning of the House. The Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and other officers so elected may be removed from office for cause by resolution of a two-thirds majority of the members of the House he claimed that Artic Rep.”
This has been one of many contentious points within the elimination of the Speaker by the bulk bloc. While some are calling for the Speaker to be given due course of. And on the finish, a vote ought to have been taken by means of headcounts. Critics say a vote was not taken by the Majority Bloc attributable to lack of belief and confidence. They say if it had taken the vote, it might not have meet the two-thirds.
Rescinded however nonetheless included
As the drama unfolded, a number of lawmakers who had earlier affixed their signature mentioned they weren’t a part of the method as their signatures had been rescinded by means of notarized affidavits. These embrace Reps. Matthew Joe (Grand Bassa), Thomas Goshua (Grand Bassa), Prescilla Cooper (Montserrado), Rep. Bintu Massalay (Grand Cape Mount), Rugie Yatu Barry (Montserrado) and Luther Collins (Gbarpolu).
‘Nothing happened’
Speaker J. Fonati Koffa downplayed the motion. He and his allies have petitioned the Supreme Court of Liberia to handle what they describe as unconstitutional actions by a faction of the House of Representatives. The petition, filed on Thursday, is addressed to the complete bench of the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh.
The petition accused Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and different lawmakers, together with Representative Samuel Kogar, of convening unauthorized plenary periods, suspending lawmakers with out due course of, unlawfully restructuring statutory committees, and seizing management of the 2025 draft nationwide finances—all in alleged violation of Liberia’s Constitution and the House’s Standing Rules.
Key Allegations
Unauthorized Plenary Sessions
Speaker Koffa and his allies argue that the respondents convened plenary periods with out the Speaker, the constitutionally mandated presiding officer underneath Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution. According to the petitioners, these periods undermine the Speaker’s authority and violate House Standing Rule 10, which grants the Speaker unique powers to name and preside over periods.
AND NOW COME the Petitioners, J. Fonati Koffa, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Leadership of the House of Representatives of the 55′ Legislature, and most respectfully pray Your Honors to declare the next actions of the Respondents to be unconstitutional and unlawful. The convening by the Respondents of a purported and unlawful Plenary of the House of Representatives with out the Speaker, the constitutionally designated Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives in Article 49 of the Constitution, however the truth that he’s current and accessible to carry out his duties…
Speaker Koffa and allies’ Petition
Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution mandates that the House of Representatives shall elect, as soon as each six years, a Speaker who shall function the presiding officer of the physique, a Deputy Speaker, and such different officers vital for the right functioning of the House. The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and different elected officers could also be faraway from workplace for trigger by means of a decision handed by a two-thirds majority of the House members. While Rule 10.1 states: “When the office of the Speaker becomes vacant due to removal, death, resignation, inability, or other disabilities, the Deputy Speaker shall act as Speaker until a new Speaker is elected within sixty days. When the Speaker is absent from a session, the Deputy Speaker shall act in accordance with Rules 8.1 and 8.2. In the absence of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, a member of the House, as elected by the House for that purpose, shall preside. Such a member shall be known as ‘Speaker Pro-Tempore.’”
Speaker Koffa and colleagues contend that no emptiness has occurred within the Speaker’s workplace to warrant such actions and that the Majority Bloc’s actions undermine the established procedural framework of the House.
Suspension of Lawmakers Without Due Process
The petitioners allege that Representatives Edward Flomo (District 13, Montserrado County), Abu Kamara (District 15, Montserrado County), and Marvin Cole (District 3, Bong County) had been suspended arbitrarily and with out adherence to due course of. They declare the suspensions violated Article 20 of the Constitution, which ensures due course of, and House Standing Rule 48, which outlines procedures for disciplinary actions.
Illegal Restructuring of Committees
The petition additionally accuses the bulk bloc of unlawfully restructuring statutory committees. According to Speaker Koffa, the reconstitution of those committees ignored the required two-thirds approval of the House membership, as mandated by legislative guidelines. Additionally, the appointments made by the Speaker for three-year phrases had been disregarded.
Seizure of the 2025 National Budget
The petitioners contend that Deputy Speaker Fallah and Representative Kogar unlawfully seized the 2025 draft nationwide finances, submitted by President Joseph Boakai, which was addressed to the Speaker because the presiding officer of the House. This act, they argue, undermines the Speaker’s authority and violates established legislative protocols.
Legal Basis
The petition invokes Article 6 of the Constitution, which designates the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter in constitutional disputes. It additionally cites Chapter 2, Section 2.2 of the Judiciary Law, granting the Court jurisdiction over extraordinary writs.
In addition, the petitioners allege that the respondents’ actions contravene Article 49 of the Constitution, which defines the Speaker’s authority, in addition to a number of provisions of the House Standing Rules.
Relief Sought
The petitioners are requesting the Supreme Court to declare the respondents’ plenary periods unconstitutional and nullify all selections made therein, reinstate the suspended lawmakers and rule their suspensions as unconstitutional, nullify the restructuring of statutory committees, declare the seizure of the 2025 draft nationwide finances illegal and reinstate the Speaker’s authority over finances deliberations.
Background
This petition comes amidst a deepening division throughout the House of Representatives. On Thursday, the Majority Bloc adopted a decision calling for the elimination of Speaker Koffa and introduced the election of Representative Richard Nagbe Koon (District 11, Montserrado County) as their new Speaker.
Operating exterior the principle chamber, the bloc has been holding parallel periods within the joint chamber of the Capitol Building. They accuse Speaker Koffa of battle of curiosity and corruption, asserting that he has misplaced their confidence and may not preside over the House.
Observers say this authorized battle may have far-reaching implications for Liberia’s legislative governance and constitutional integrity. The Supreme Court’s ruling will seemingly set a precedent for resolving inner conflicts throughout the legislature, notably relating to the stability of energy and adherence to procedural norms.
The nation now awaits the Supreme Court’s intervention to make clear the constitutional boundaries and guarantee stability inside one among its most important democratic establishments.
Resolution challenged
The pro-Koffa say the decision learn within the majority sitting was fairly totally different from the unique which was taken by Rep. Luther Collins. Collins had accused a bunch of lawmakers of providing him a bribe to signal the decision. He mentioned he was given US$15,000 and promised US$10,000 when the Speaker is eliminated.
Rep. Marvin Cole, talking on Spoon Talk mentioned the unique decision was nonetheless within the possession of Collins.
The elimination of Fonati Koffa as Speaker has been riddled with allegations of corruption. Even throughout following the adoption of the decision, one of many lawmakers, Rep. Zinnah Norman of Gbarpolu who defected from the Speaker to the Majority Bloc on Tuesday confessed that 4 makes an attempt had been made to bribe him into signing the decision and he refused.
He mentioned: “This decision was critically decided, that’s why it took me months. I rejected bribes on four different occasions. I was sent to the legislature to serve a whole district with over 20,000 voters not to worship a certain individual.”
Alleged leak audio
Meanwhile, a leaked audio of Rep Koon has surfaced following his election as Speaker by the Majority Bloc. In the audio, Rep. Koon may be heard saying Speaker Koffa is being focused as a result of he offended many high and influential lawmakers together with former Speakers of the House of Representatives. He mentioned these high lawmakers are behind the Speaker’s elimination.
With now two Speakers, the Capitol can be tense within the coming days. Staffers, particularly these in central administration can be in a dilemma on deciding who to acknowledge.
