– Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa Responds to Withdrawal of State Security, As He Returns To The Supreme Court.
By Jerromie S. Walters
In a brief statement released on his official Facebook page Thursday evening, House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffaannounced that he has been officially informed of the withdrawal of all state security personnel assigned to him, effective today.
Despite this development, Koffa asserted that his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives remains unchanged. He emphasized that this action by the Executive Branch will not deter him from his commitment to uphold the Rule of Law and the Liberian Constitution.
Koffa stated, “I have officially been informed that all State security will be withdrawn tomorrow. These actions from The Executive do NOT change the fact that I remain The Speaker of The House of Representatives. This only further strengthens my resolve to fight for upholding the Rule of Law and The Liberian Constitution.”
Koffa returns to Supreme Court
House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and his colleagues have filed a Bill of Information with the Supreme Court, seeking urgent relief regarding actions taken by purported Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and members of the Majority Bloc. The lawmakers argue that these actions violate the previous Supreme Court ruling and have serious implications for the integrity of Liberia’s legislative process.
In their filing, Koffa and his colleagues reference the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Majority UCL et al. v. Minority UCL et al [1999] LRSC 36; 39 LLR 692 (1999), which established that information before the Full Bench is appropriate when it arises from a pending action or when a matter previously decided by the Full Bench is being improperly executed by a lower court or obstructed by involved parties.
The relief sought by the informants includes several key requests. They are asking the Supreme Court to declare the actions of purported Speaker Koon and members of the Majority Bloc as null and void ab initio, asserting that any sessions, hearings, or decisions made under their authority are in violation of the Court’s ruling and final judgment, and are therefore ultra vires and unconstitutional.
The informants further seek a determination that the actions of Koon, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, and other members of the Majority Bloc, who are accused of defying the Court’s ruling, are contemptuous. Lastly, they are requesting an order for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Counselor N. Oswald Tweh, to publicly retract his opinion that misinterprets the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The heat
Tensions within the House broke out on October 17, 2024, when 47 members of the 55th Legislature attempted to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, citing allegations of misconduct and administrative incompetence. On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Representative Richard Nagbe Koon of Montserrado County District #11 was controversially elected and inducted as the “new Speaker” of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia.
According to the Bloc, this decision was made by approximately 50 members of the House of Representatives; however, many of those included in their resolution later withdrew their signatures and expressed discontent over what they termed “Koon’s fraudulent election.” The Bloc has since implemented various critical measures, including the suspension of lawmakers, despite a Supreme Court ruling indicating that improper decisions were made and that the legislature must act in accordance with the law.
Undermining the ruling?
Last Friday, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia weighed in on the constitutionality of actions taken by the “Majority Bloc” during the legislative standoff. The Court ruled that any proceedings by House members that deviated from the intent of Articles 33 and 49 were deemed ultra vires or beyond their legal authority. However, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, both the Executive and the Liberian Senate endorsed the self-styled “Majority Bloc.”
In his opinion on the Supreme Court ruling, Justice Minister N. Oswald Tweh articulated his belief that the majority members of the House of Representatives are fulfilling the constitutional requirements needed to convene sessions and make decisions in alignment with national laws and the House’s internal rules. “The Court’s analysis clearly outlines the standards for a valid plenary session,” Tweh stated. “I am confident that the majority members of the House are operating within these guidelines, thereby ensuring that their actions are legal and constitutionally sound.”
The Justice Minister further asserted that the budgetary process, which has caused chaos in the House, can be legally executed by the majority, provided they adhere to the standards set forth by the Supreme Court. He emphasized that any decisions made under these circumstances would be considered constitutional, legal, and valid.
Liberians unhappy
However, many Liberians contend that the Justice Minister’s interpretation misrepresents the Supreme Court ruling. Following its publication on the Executive Mansion’s official Facebook page, reactions poured in from concerned Liberians. “Sad time for our country, Liberia. Democracy is a serious threat right now to what we witness today,” remarked Aron Farley. “Individuals undermined the rule of law and the Constitution, which prompted orders to dissatisfaction and degenerate our country into a war… isn’t that a recipe for disaster?”
Charles T. Kamara added, “When we said the repeat of PRC government has taken over, people felt it was a joke… It is coming to light gradually. Liberia is doomed!!!” Others like Joel Nyanford expressed regret over their voting decisions, questioning whether the Justice Minister’s opinion holds more weight than the Supreme Court ruling.
Dayan Borvey lamented, “It’s sad that even the Justice Minister cannot comprehend the ruling of the Supreme Court. Unbelievable!!!” Another citizen warned, “Wow, another war is coming to Liberia… This Minister of Justice is a disgrace to Mama Liberia.”
Despite the backlash, J-Mark Markai noted, “It’s just an opinion formed by the JM; however, the Supreme Court has the final say of how the law is interpreted!” He pointed out that the process through which the Majority Bloc elected Rep. Koon as Speaker was fraught with constitutional missteps.
Senate dance to Executive tone
Mid-Tuesday, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence announced that the Senate has decided to engage with the Majority Bloc amid the leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. This decision follows Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh’s legal interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, which asserts that the majority members were operating within constitutional bounds.
This political maneuvering came just days after the Supreme Court urged House members to adhere to established constitutional protocols amid the ongoing turmoil.
The bloody hearings
Since the controversial FY2025 draft national budget hearings kicked off on Monday, December 9, 2024, government officials appearing for the hearings have been escorted to the legislature by heavily armed state security personnel. The atmosphere on Capitol Hill on Monday, December 9, 2024, was nothing short of chaotic, bloody, and heated, as members of the House of Representatives engaged in a violent clash over what the Pro-Koffa bloc denounced as “illegal budget hearings” orchestrated by the self-styled “Majority Bloc.”
The quarrel escalated into a full-blown brawl, with lawmakers from the Majority Bloc confronting their counterparts from the Pro-Koffa bloc. Tensions heightened rapidly after the “Majority Bloc” requested police intervention. Pro-Koffa lawmakers accused the officers of employing excessive force, leading to a violent scene where lawmakers exchanged blows, resulting in several injuries. Among those arrested was the Chief of Office Staff of Montserrado County District #10 Representative YekehY. Kolubah.
