By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The Supreme Court of Liberia has ruled in favor of Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah, mandating the leadership of the House of Representatives to pay his salary and benefits for June 2021.
The ruling comes after the court found that the House leadership’s refusal to disburse Kolubah’s salary constituted a violation of judicial mandates. The court’s decision followed a petition filed by Kolubah’s legal team, which sought clarification on the matter through a bill of information.
The Supreme Court issued a peremptory writ of mandate, a powerful legal tool that compels government officials or bodies to fulfill their legal obligations. This type of writ is typically employed in situations where there is an urgent need for compliance, or when there is no valid reason for a government entity to disregard the law.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court emphasized that the House of Representatives had failed to provide justifiable grounds for withholding Kolubah’s compensation. The peremptory writ serves as a final order, indicating that the House must act without delay to rectify the situation.
A peremptory writ differs from an alternative writ of mandate, which allows a government agency to explain its reasons for non-compliance. In this case, the court determined that the circumstances warranted immediate action, thus bypassing the need for an alternative writ.
Representative Kolubah has been an outspoken advocate for various social issues in Liberia. The leadership of the House is now expected to process the payment of his June 2021 salary and benefits promptly, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
