-Recognizes Koffa as the legitimate Speaker of the 55th Legislature
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s Supreme Court has declared all actions taken by the majority bloc of the House of Representatives unconstitutional if conducted without the elected Speaker presiding—unless the Speaker is formally absent or incapacitated.
The decision, delivered by the full branch through Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Young, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, commemorates a key moment in the ongoing political crisis that has deepened divisions within the House of Representatives.
The ruling comes after months of turmoil in the House of Representatives, where a faction of lawmakers, led by Montserrado County District #11 Representative Richard N. Koon, had repeatedly convened sessions without Speaker Speaker Fonati Koffa.
The Court’s judgment emphasizes strict adherence to Liberia’s Constitution, which vests authority in the elected Speaker to preside over House sessions. The Chief Justice states: “Any action or sitting of the majority bloc in which the elected Speaker is not presiding—despite being present and not absent or incapacitated—is unconstitutional. The majority bloc is hereby mandated to operate in the interpretation of the Constitution as stated by the Supreme Court.”
The verdict is expected to restore Speaker Koffa’s authority, but questions remain over whether dissenting lawmakers will comply.
The impasse:
Liberia’s House of Representatives is in the grip of an unprecedented political crisis, with 16 of the 73 lawmakers suspended in recent months, marking one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the Legislature. The suspensions, largely targeting members of the minority bloc, have deepened divisions within the legislative body and leaves thousands of constituents without representation.
The crisis began on October 17, 2024, when a group of lawmakers initiated moves to remove Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa over several allegations. The situation escalated on November 21, 2024, with the controversial election of Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker. Koffa’s supporters have since rejected the outcome, labeling it as fraudulent and unconstitutional, further fueling tensions within the House.
Since assuming leadership, the “Majority Bloc” has taken a series of aggressive actions, including restructuring the House leadership, authorizing the forceful treatment of lawmakers, and breaking into the vehicle of Representative Yekeh Kolubah under the instructions of Representative Koon. It was also during the period of theimpasse that the joint chambers and other parts of the Capitol Building was set ablaze. The Liberia National Police (LNP) later confirmed that it was an arson attack.
The Supreme Court’s decision today comes after its previous ruling in early December 2024 when the High Court ruled that the Majority Bloc’s actions 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. Despite this ruling, both the Executive Branch and the Liberian Senate endorsed the Majority Bloc’s actions on December 10, 2024, further entrenching the divide.
