By: SHALLON S. GONLOR
NIMBA COUNTY — Representative Nyahn Flomo of NimbaCounty District #2 is making the case for ousting House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, sending a scathing allegation of corruption. Rep. Flomo further clarified that his decision to join fellow lawmakers to remove Speaker Koffa steam beyond bribery has been spread out in the public, saying that he has betrayed the principles and integrity upheld by members of the House of Representatives.
Following the exposure of a US$15,000 bribery scheme allegedly used to persuade lawmakers to endorse the resolution to oust Speaker Koffa, the Nimba District #2 Lawmaker denied receipt of said money to exercise his constitutional right. “My decision to form a coup with fellow colleagues against Speaker Koffa didn’t just only start today or due to money influence to vote out Speaker Koffa. Before my coming to the House of Representatives, I have heard and gathered enough negative attributes including, nepotism, tribalism, corruption among others, of the speaker” the Nimba County District#2 Representative stated.
Rep. Flomo laid out a slate of his reasons, taking aim at Koffa’sfailure to deliver on his campaign promises, accusing the speaker of advancing corruption, nepotism, and tribalism among House of Representatives members. According to him, on numerous occasions, he wrote and informed Speaker Koffaabout his lack of respect for his colleagues, and procedural errors in his leadership, noting that the speaker refused to listen.
Appearing on Radio Nimba news magazine show on Wednesday, Rep. Nyahn G. Flomo of Nimba County District #2 detailed the allegations of financial misconduct, accusing Speaker Koffa of receiving $9.7 million over two fiscal years, despite an official allocation of just $2.6 million. He added that “In 2023, Koffa’s office was allotted $1.1 million but received $4.1 million, and in 2024, he took in $5.6 million while his office was only allocated $1.5 million”.
These transactions, according to Rep. Flomo, violated Liberia’s Budget Transfer Act of 2008, which governs public fund transfers, alleging that Koffa had deliberately circumvented the law for personal gain. Additionally, he revealed that Koffaobstructed a General Audit Commission (GAC) audit of the House’s finances. “The GAC audit, initiated in March 2024, was abruptly halted in April when Koffa ordered the audit team to leave, raising further questions about financial mismanagement”. “President Joseph Boakai has already initiated audits of the past administration, and the Senate has completed its audit. However, Speaker Koffa has failed to deliver on his promise to audit the House, which raises serious concerns about his leadership,” Flomo stated.
The lawmaker among severe issues also aimed at Koffa’shandling of House staff welfare, stating that several staff members were reportedly removed from the payroll at the behest of Honorable Marvin Cole, but Koffa has done nothing to rectify the situation. Rep. Flomo’s controversy shows Koffa’s disregard for the rights and welfare of House employees, condemning Speaker Koffa’s actions as ‘counterproductive’, throwing the Honorable House of Representatives into chaos by not serving the rightful way. “A glaring example of his disregard for due process occurred on February 7, 2024, when Speaker Koffasubmitted a list of three representatives to the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament without conducting the required election. This deliberate action misled the regional body and violated procedures, casting a shadow on Liberia’s representation and undermining the principles of fairness and democracy” he said.
He then called for the resignation of Speaker Koffa or be removed forcibly. “We cannot tolerate this level of corruption in the People’s House. Speaker Koffa has enriched himself at the expense of the Liberian people, and his leadership is no longer tenable.” At any time, Flomo may force a vote to oust Koffa but it is so far unclear how much support his effort has. The former community journalist was elected during the October 10, 2023 Representative Elections, marking his first term as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, but appeared opposed in an escalation of attacks against House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
The Nimba District #2 policymaker highlighted that the speaker’s blatant abuse of power, coupled with his continued involvement in private legal work, directly violates the House’s own Rule 45.1, which mandates members to withdraw from matters in which they have an interest, and Rule 45.2, which prohibits members from engaging in occupations that are incompatible with their legislative responsibilities are clear violations which tarnish the image and prestige of the House and undermine public trust in the House of Representatives.
Speaker Koffa’s job is in jeopardy, as Flomo’s support majority block for what is known as a motion to vacate – a procedural vote to remove the speaker. The majority block has reiterated that their call for Speaker Koffa’s removal stems from his failure to discharge his official duties in a manner that is fair, proper, and impartial.
