-Embattled House Speaker Koffa Discloses
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – Embattled House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has disclosed that he would not sit under the gavel or in any other form recognize the “authority” of Representative Richard Nagbe Koon who was controversially elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives by the Majority bloc.
Koffa’s stance comes upon his return from the United States on Saturday. He reiterated his refusal to acknowledge Koon’s speakership, stating that he is pursuing legal clarification on the matter. The embattled Speaker emphasized that validating Koon’s leadership would compromise his principles and undermine the integrity of the legislative process.
His words: “Sitting under Koon’s leadership would mean legitimizing his speakership, and that is something I cannot do at this time,” Koffa asserted and vowed to challenge the controversial election through legal means.
A House Divided
The leadership crisis began on October 17, 2024, when 47 members of the 55th Legislature moved to remove Koffa, citing allegations of misconduct. The situation escalated on November 21, 2024, when Koon was controversially elected as the new Speaker, a move that many lawmakers labeled as fraudulent.
The election of Koon by the Majority bloc has since 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.
Supreme Court Ruling and Executive Endorsement
The controversy traces back to 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.
Many believe that this further complicated the matter. Despite Koffa’s recent petition for a bill of information being denied, he has vowed to return to the courts,
Attempts to Remove Koffa from Office**
The tension took a different trend this weekend (Friday) when members of the Majority bloc, escorted by Liberia National Police (LNP) personnel, attempted to forcibly remove Koffa’s belongings from the Speaker’s office. The operation was abruptly postponed, but the incident underscored the intensity of the standoff.
During a heated session on Tuesday, lawmakers clashed over the occupation of the Speaker’s office, with some advocating for a formal eviction process through the courts, while others pushed for immediate action. The House Leadership eventually intervened to mediate
Koffa’s Response
In a response to a letter from the Chief Clerk instructing him to vacate the office, Koffa accused the Majority bloc of attempting to seize power through illegal means. “Please inform those who instructed you to write such a letter that they should obtain the office in the same manner as they obtained the speakership – illegally and with the force of the executive,” Koffa stated.
He also criticized Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh, whose legal interpretation he claims facilitated what he describes as an “illegal act.” Koffa has vowed not to engage in further discussions on the matter, signaling his intent to fight the issue through legal channels.
Legal or illegal actions?
Following Koon’s controversial election, the Majority bloc 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 and Fallout
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. Three of her lawmakers were later suspended. The suspensions, which included forfeiting salaries, were approved unanimously, though three lawmakers abstained.
