-Speaker Koffa discloses plenary’s readiness to take further actions if they don’t get quorum today
By Jerromie S. Walters
Amid ongoing tensions within the House of Representatives, Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has revealed that plenary would take further actions today, if they are unable to get quorum to conduct session.
The pro-Koffa bloc which constituted 30 lawmakers was forced to suspend their session on Tuesday after failing to meet the required quorum to conduct official business. Just less than thirty minutes after a group of lawmakers opposed to Speaker Koffa held a session in the joint chamber of the Legislature.
The conflict within the House of Representatives of the 55th National Legislature took a more serious trend Tuesday, October 22, 2024, as pro-Koffa and anti-Koffa factions convened separate sessions, but the majority bloc concluded with a decision to summon the Deputy Speaker, and others to join before them in the Joint for legislative session today.
But during a special interview on Wednesday, he noted: “We will consider further actions on Thursday when we can’t get a quorum.” This statement follows a recent Plenary vote aimed at compelling absent members to attend the session scheduled for today, October 24.
Speaker Koffa emphasized the constitutional provisions that allow the minority to compel the majority to attend, stating, “ “There are two responsibilities/powers we have when we can not convene quorum. We can adjoin and we can compel. There is a reason why the Constitution and our rule say the minority can compel the majority to attend. If it was the contemplation of the law that once the majority convenes, (that’s the legislature) they would not have put in there that the minority can compel the majority and this is the issue of when there is no quorum. So if the minority is compelling is under the consideration and assumption that the minority is where the Speaker sits or in his absence the Deputy Speaker.”
Conspicuously, Speaker Koffa still doesn’t seem to be looking in the direction of resignation, especially when due process is not followed in the quest to oust him. He asserting, “The patriotic thing to do when we are withdrawing salary is to come to work.” He expressed confidence in resolving the internal conflicts and reiterated that resignation is not an option he is considering.
Speaker Koffa outlined a potential path forward, stating, “If I get a resolution of 49 signatures, I guarantee that I will immediately recuse myself. This would allow me to prepare my defense and let the Deputy Speaker take control. If the plenary decides my case is insufficient, then that’s it.”
He believes that the ongoing struggle will ultimately lead to a reformed legislature, one that is accountable and transparent. “At the end of this fight will be a legislature that is reformed. These changes are necessary for us to progress to a better place,” he asserted.
Addressing issues of governance within the House, Koffa noted a troubling trend among committee chairs, stating, “The committee chairs think they are the committees. They make decisions without reference to their committee members, which understandably frustrates them.” He called for adherence to established rules and emphasized the need for an audit to clarify ongoing speculations about financial mismanagement. “Let’s get the audit done. The audit will reveal what the speculations say,” he said, reiterating his commitment to transparency.
Responding to allegations of overspending during his tenure as Deputy Speaker, Koffa insisted he adhered to his budget, asserting, “If I did spend more, the audit will reveal that, and that is why I fully support a system audit.” He acknowledged some reluctance in ensuring committee compliance, which may have contributed to allegations of mismanagement regarding gas slips and other benefits.
Speaker Koffa clarified his role in the legislature, stating, “I have never represented the legal interests of any institution since I was elected as a Representative.” As the House navigates this tumultuous period, Koffa’s steadfastness suggests a fierce battle lies ahead for the leadership of the House of Representatives.
Genesis of the conflict:
House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s Capitol Hill headache began Thursday, October 17, 2024, when some 47 legislators signed and read and resolution that seeks to have him removed as Speaker of the House. In the resolution, the legislators cited multiple allegations of misconduct, conflicts of interest, and administrative incompetence.
The resolution references Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution and Rule 9.1 of the House’s Rules and Procedures, which allow for the removal of the Speaker for cause. The resolution accuses Koffa of holding multiple positions as a consultant and lawyer for various government agencies and private companies, including the Liberia Petroleum and Refining Corporation and the Central Bank of Liberia.
Under Misrepresentation in ECOWAS Parliament, Koffa is accused of submitting a list of representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament without conducting a proper election, misleading both the Liberian public and the ECOWAS body. His actions reportedly contravene the ECOWAS Protocol, which mandates that representatives be elected by direct universal suffrage.
The lawmakers, in their resolution, accuse Koffa of Overspending and Financial Mismanagement: During his tenure as Deputy Speaker, the resolution says Koffa allegedly overspent his budget by over $2.9 million, raising suspicions of systemic corruption. The resolution cites this financial mismanagement as damaging to the credibility of the House.
Another count, Alteration of the National Budget, accuses the Speaker of altering the National Budget. Count five, Unilateral Changes in House Structure accuses Koffa of creating new committees and merging departments without the approval of the House, violating established rules, and undermining the legislative process.
Moreover, in count six, which is tagged Criminal Background, the resolution highlights Koffa’s prior conviction for embezzlement while serving as Town Manager in North Carolina, where he was disbarred and is currently fulfilling community service obligations.
