“Return to Standing Quo Ante’ – Supreme Court Halts Majority Bloc’s Actions
MONROVIA – The Supreme Court of Liberia has issued a keep order directing the “Majority Bloc” of the House of Representatives to halt all actions and return to establishment ante whereas it critiques a petition filed by House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and his allies.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In a writ issued on Friday, the Court instructed the Minister of Justice and members of the House concerned within the dispute to submit their responses by November 26, 2024. The Court additionally ordered the Majority Bloc, led by Montserrado County Representative Richard Koon, to stop all actions till the matter is adjudicated.
The injunction mandated Brigadier General Amos B. Kesseh Dickson, Sr., Marshal of the Supreme Court, or his deputy, to inform the Minister of Justice and the referenced lawmakers to file their official responses. It mentioned they have to “appear and file returns on the side of the law before the Full Bench of the Honorable Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia, Temple of Justice, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., as to whether or not the Petitioners’ Petition should be granted.”
The order additional instructed the events to “Return to status quo ante and stay all further proceedings or actions pending the determination of the matter.”
“You are commanded to learn the unique writ and go away a replica with them; and to file your official returns on the again of the unique copy within the Office of the Clerk of this Honorable Court by November 26, 2024.
Leadership Crisis Escalates
The House of Representatives has been embroiled in a bitter management battle, splitting into two factions. The Majority Bloc, citing allegations of corruption, battle of curiosity, and poor management, accused Speaker Koffa of ignoring their considerations.
The disaster escalated when the Majority Bloc, comprising a big variety of lawmakers, deserted the principle chamber and commenced holding classes within the joint chamber. On November 21, 2024, the group controversially declared the Speaker’s seat vacant and elected Representative Koon as their new Speaker. They additionally dissolved committees fashioned underneath Speaker Koffa and appointed new ones.
Speaker Koffa and members of the Minority Bloc condemned these actions, arguing that no respectable emptiness existed within the Speaker’s workplace to justify such strikes. The Speaker and his allies subsequently filed a petition to the Supreme Court, asserting that the actions of the Majority Bloc violated the procedural framework of the House.
The court docket’s intervention marks a essential juncture within the ongoing management disaster, with the Supreme Court anticipated to find out the legality of the Majority Bloc’s actions.
This dispute has additional deepened divisions inside the House, elevating considerations about its capacity to operate successfully amid the political turmoil.
