By G. Watson Richards
A prominent Liberian legal voice has entered the growing political debate surrounding calls to impeach or expel Montserrado County District #10 lawmaker Yekeh Kolubah, warning that such efforts could undermine constitutional procedure and the separation of powers.
Constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe criticized recent calls, reportedly linked to allegations of treason, for bypassing the judiciary and instead pursuing legislative punishment.
He argued that if authorities believe criminal conduct has occurred, the appropriate legal response is investigation, arrest, and prosecution before a court of competent jurisdiction, not political sanction.
“If the Inspector General believes that Hon. Kolubah has committed treason, the law provides a straightforward course, arrest, charge, and prosecution before a court of competent jurisdiction,” Gongloe stated in a commentary posted on his official social media platform.
According to him, treason is a criminal offense and not a political accusation that can be resolved through impeachment or expulsion.
“Treason is a criminal offense, not a political accusation to be resolved through impeachment or expulsion,” he added.
His comments come amid rising political tension in Monrovia following controversial statements attributed to opposition lawmaker Yekeh Kolubah, which some officials have interpreted as potentially crossing legal boundaries.
Cllr. Gongloe cautioned that using legislative procedures to address alleged criminal conduct risks weakening constitutional safeguards.
“The Legislature is not a criminal court and cannot determine guilt or innocence for such an offense. To proceed otherwise is to blur the lines between political authority and judicial power, thereby undermining the doctrine of separation of powers,” he said.
The former Solicitor General of Liberia also referenced his prosecutorial experience, noting that criminal allegations involving sitting lawmakers have historically been handled through the courts rather than political removal.
He further emphasized the importance of distinguishing between protected political speech and criminal intent, warning against equating criticism of government with treason.
“A statement, even one that appears controversial or contrary to national sentiment, does not automatically amount to treason,” he said, citing international examples of lawmakers who have criticized government policy without facing criminal charges.
Cllr. Gongloe, among other things also called for a structured fact-finding mechanism instead of immediate punitive action, proposing a commission of inquiry to establish the facts and recommend appropriate measures.
He referenced historical precedent under former Liberian President William R. Tolbert Jr., noting that commissions of inquiry were previously used to address national tensions and public disputes.
The Human Rights lawyer also cited U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders as an example of a public official who has openly criticized government policy without being accused of treason.
“Liberia must resist the temptation to substitute law with power. If the House proceeds to impeach or expel Hon. Kolubah on this basis, it would be a serious legal misstep that undermines constitutional order. The law must guide politics, not the other way around,” he added.
The controversy continues to generate public debate in Liberia, highlighting ongoing tensions over legislative authority, free speech, and the limits of criminal accountability within the country’s democratic system.
