-Majority Bloc Claims Office for Rep. Koon
By Jerromie S. Walters
In a theatrical escalation of the ongoing leadership crisis within the House of Representatives, the Majority Bloc-led leadership on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, forcibly evicted embattled Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa from his office. The eviction, led by Bong County Representative James Kolleh, involved breaking into the Speaker’s office and clearing out his (Speaker Koffa) personal belongings.
However, Representative Kolleh admitted that there was no eviction notice/order given by the Court that backed his decision. Rather, he argued that the embattled speaker did not obtain the office through the court. The belongs of Embattled Speaker Koffa were dashed in a much similar office space which he earlier use for his Chief-of-Offie Staff.
The forceful eviction comes after months of tension between the Majority Bloc and Speaker Koffa, who had insisted that the bloc should take the office just as ”illegally” they took the speakership. repeatedly refused to vacate his position despite demands from the Majority Bloc to make way for their elected Speaker, Richard Koon.
Like a few other ordinary and prominent Liberians, the Rural Law Caucus of the House of Representatives has strongly condemned the majority bloc action wich they consider as “unlawful”. The Caucus also characterized the actions as reckless, dangerous, and a direct assault on Liberia’s democratic institutions.
A Contentious Standoff
The leadership crisis began on October 17, 2024, when 47 members of the 55th Legislature moved to remove Speaker Koffa, citing allegations of misconduct. The situation reached a boiling point on November 21, 2024, when Richard Koon was controversially elected as the new Speaker in a process that many lawmakers described as fraudulent.
Speaker Koffa has consistently maintained that his removal is illegal, accusing the Majority Bloc of using “illegal means and the force of the Executive” to seize power. In response to a letter allegedly sent by Representative James Kolleh and purportedly written by Chief Clerk Mildred Sayon, Koffa dismissed the communication and reiterated his refusal to step down.
Upon his recent return from the United States, Koffa doubled down on his stance, citing remarks by Justice Minister Tweh and asserting that his interpretation of the situation had paved the way for what he called “illegal acts.” He made it clear that he would not engage in further discussions on the matter, leaving the Majority Bloc to proceed as they saw fit.
Supreme Court Ruling and Executive Endorsement
The controversy deepened in early December 2024 when the Supreme Court of Liberia ruled that actions taken by the Majority Bloc during the leadership standoff were “ultra vires” (beyond their legal authority) if they deviated from the intent of Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution. However, on December 10, 2024, both the Executive Branch and the Liberian Senate endorsed the Majority Bloc’s actions, further complicating the matter.
Despite Koffa’s recent petition for a bill of information being denied, he has vowed to return to the courts to challenge his removal.
Polarization and Power Struggles
The election of Richard Koon has polarized the House of Representatives, with lawmakers sharply divided between supporters of Koffa and Koon. While Koon’s allies argue that his election reflects the will of the majority, Koffa’s camp contends that the process was flawed and lacks legal legitimacy.
The Majority Bloc has further consolidated its power by restructuring key House committees, removing Koffa loyalists such as Representative Dixon Seboe from the Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget Committee. Critics, including Representative Yekeh Kolubah, have accused the bloc of using committee appointments to generate illegal funds through the national budget.
Suspensions
The Majority Bloc has also wielded its power to suspend lawmakers perceived as loyal to Koffa. On November 19, 2024, Representatives Edward P. Flomo, Abu Kamara, and Marvin Cole were suspended for one month for alleged misconduct, with several others facing similar penalties. The suspensions, which included forfeiting salaries, were approved unanimously, though three lawmakers abstained.
Legal or Illegal Actions?
The forcible eviction of Speaker Koffa has raised questions about the legality of the Majority Bloc’s actions. While the Bloc maintains that its actions are justified and reflect the will of the majority, critics argue that the eviction and related measures undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent for Liberia’s democracy.
As the leadership crisis continues, the House of Representatives and Liberia in general remain deeply divided, with the potential for further legal and political battles on the horizon from the end of the legislative impasse.
