-Five out of eight reportedly signed for US$15K to remove Speaker Koffa on Capitol Hill
By Jerromie S. Walters
Reports emerged early Thursday revealing a troubling scheme reportedly orchestrated by the ruling establishment to remove House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Representative Luther Collins from Gbarpolu County publicly disclosed that he received an initial payment of $15,000 as part of this controversial effort to secure support for Koffa’s ousting.
Not as it is often seen, scores of female legislators too are allegedly involved in this scandal, as vividly shown by their signatures on the resolution. Among the eight women serving in the House, five have put their names and signatures on the resolution to remove Speaker Koffa. These legislators—Representative Marie Johnson from Grand Gedeh County District #2, Representative Julie F. Wiah from Lofa County District #4, Representative Rugie Barry from Montserrado County District #1, Representative Priscilla Cooper from Montserrado County District #5, and Representative Bintu Massalay from Grand Cape Mount District #1—are among the 48 central figures in this unfolding scandal.
But In stark contrast, three female legislators—Moima Briggs-Mensah of Bong County District #6, Representative Gbessie Sonii Feika from Grand Cape Mount County District #3, and Representative Ellen Attoh Wreh from Margibi County District #3— did not sign the resolution, standing apart from the 47 legislators implicated in this bribery scheme.
Earlier on Thursday, in an interview, Representative Collins indicated that an additional $10,000 would be disbursed contingent upon the successful execution of the plan. This scandal has drawn attention not only to the allegations of bribery but also to the significant involvement of female legislators in the House of Representatives.
Following this, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon called for a thorough investigation into the allegations. In a statement released on Thursday, Dillon emphasized the importance of due process and the rule of law in legislative proceedings. He asserted that while members of the House of Representatives possess the legal authority to remove a Speaker, such actions must be grounded in legitimate causes and carried out following due legal processes.
To effectuate their plan, some of the 47 members of the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature Thursday, October 17, 2024, read their resolution to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa from his position at the grounds of the Legislature.
In the resolution, the 47 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. This alleged dual role has raised serious concerns about his ability to lead impartially and has been deemed a violation of House rules regarding conflicts of interest.
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 47 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. Following their presentation, the representatives have scheduled a new election for the speakership to take place next Thursday.
However, the reading of the resolution by the majority bloc outside the chambers does not fully satisfy the formal removal of the Speaker. The House rule says the entire process must take place during an official session, where the resolution is included on the session’s agenda.
The resolution should be read within the session, followed by the application of due process. Subsequently, a vote must be taken. A simple majority vote conducted during the session will determine whether the Speaker is removed or retained.
Meanwhile, Former President of Liberia and Political Leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), George Manneh Weah, has issued a strong statement condemning what he describes as a “concerted and criminal effort” by the Unity Party-led government under President Joseph Boakai. Weah alleges that the government is using funds from the national coffers to orchestrate the unjust removal of the Speaker of the House, Honorable J. Fonati Koffa.
In his statement, Weah expressed grave concerns over the integrity of Liberia’s constitutional legislative process, emphasizing that such actions set a dangerous precedent for governance in the country. “This blatant act of political chicanery not only threatens the integrity of our constitutional legislative process but also sets a dangerous precedence for governance in our beloved nation,” Weah remarked.
Weah firmly stated that such manipulations would not be tolerated, calling the attempts a direct affront to the principles of democracy and the will of the people. “The attempt to manipulate the legislative branch for partisan gain is a direct affront to the principles of democracy and the will of the people,” he asserted.
The former president highlighted the dedication and integrity of Speaker Koffa, condemning any illegal efforts to remove him as desperate and cowardly tactics. “Speaker Koffa has served with dedication and integrity, and any effort to remove him illegally under the guise of political expediency is a desperate and cowardly tactic that must be condemned by all who value the rule of law,” he added.
Addressing the members of the CDC legislative caucus, Weah urged them to resist being swayed by financial incentives and to stand against the alleged plot. “Do not allow yourselves to be swayed by pecuniary gains and the siren song of those who seek to destabilize our governance process for their selfish interests,” he warned. He further cautioned that participation in such schemes would betray the trust of their constituents and have significant political consequences within the party and in the eyes of the Liberian people.
Weah called for steadfast commitment to democratic principles and vigilance in protecting national institutions and the integrity of democracy. “We must remain steadfast in our commitment to democratic principles and the right of the people to choose their leaders without interference,” he urged. “Let us also remain vigilant and united in our resolve to protect our national institutions and defend the integrity of our democracy.”
The statement ended with a call for solidarity among Liberians to uphold democratic values and processes.
