The political drama on Capitol Hill is nearing one month without an amicable resolution. As the prevailing power play deepens, every side claims to have control, authority, and legitimacy.
The House of Representatives is heavily divided into two halves or blocs since a resolution by more than 42 legislators to remove Cllr. Fonati Koffa, as Speaker, became known.
Both parties claim to be probing each other. During its session on Tuesday, members of the majority probe launched a probe amid the release of pepper spray by those believed to be pro-Koffa supporters who have also been accused of vandalizing the joint chambers.
The Majority Bloc in the House of Representatives has established a special investigative committee to probe Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa over corruption, conflict of interest, and nepotism allegations.
The decision comes after weeks of mounting pressure from opposition lawmakers, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens who have raised red flags regarding Koffa’s conduct in office.
The Majority Bloc, a split in the legislature’s lower house, announced the committee’s formation during a special meeting on Monday.
The committee, chaired by a senior lawmaker from the majority bloc, is tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation into the claims against Koffa and issuing a public report with recommendations.
The allegations against Speaker Koffa center on several claims of financial mismanagement and corruption.
Critics argue that Koffa has used his position to benefit his allies and advance their commercial interests.
They expressly point to suspected kickbacks from government contracts and the manipulation of legislative procedures to funnel state resources to private ventures linked to him and his associates.
“These accusations are serious, and the public deserves answers. We cannot afford to let these allegations undermine the integrity of the House of Representatives,” said Representative Agnes Reeves, who introduced the resolution to form the investigative committee.
While Speaker Koffa has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated, his critics insist that the investigation is necessary to restore trust in the country’s governance institutions.
In addition to corruption allegations, Koffa is accused of indulging in conflicts of interest. According to documents obtained by various media outlets, Koffa allegedly has direct financial ties to businesses that have benefited from government contracts passed through the legislature.
Lawmakers and civil society groups have argued that such ties compromise Koffa’s ability to act impartially and in the best interests of the Liberian people.
“If it is true that Speaker Koffa has used his position to enrich himself and his family, this is a clear violation of public trust,” stated Franklin L. Howard, an outspoken activist and head of the Liberia Transparency Initiative. “We need an independent investigation that is free from political interference.”
Another major issue that has sparked outcry among his colleagues is the allegation of nepotism. Speaker Koffa is accused of appointing close relatives to high-ranking government positions and awarding lucrative contracts to companies with familial connections. These actions have raised questions about his commitment to merit-based appointments and equitable resource distribution within the government.
In the decision made by the Majority Block, lawmakers emphasized that the investigation would be impartial and thorough. “We will not allow nepotism to continue to undermine the credibility of the public service. This investigation is a first step toward ensuring that accountability is restored,” said Representative Collins M. Wesseh, one of the committee’s members.
For his part, Speaker Koffa has rejected the allegations, calling them a smear campaign designed to undermine his leadership. In a statement released to the press on Tuesday, Koffa defended his record, stating that he has always acted in the best interest of the Liberian people.
“Let me be clear: I have done nothing wrong. These are nothing but baseless accusations. I have always ensured that the legislature fulfills its duties with integrity,” Koffa stated. He also vowed to cooperate with the investigation thoroughly and expressed confidence that the truth would come to light.
Despite Koffa’s assertions, many within the political sphere and civil society remain skeptical, questioning whether the investigation will be fair and transparent, especially given Koffa’s influential position within the ruling party.
The formation of the investigative committee marks the beginning of what promises to be a tense and closely watched process. The committee will have broad powers to subpoena witnesses and examine evidence and is expected to hold hearings in the coming weeks.
With Speaker Koffa’s fate hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on the investigation’s outcome and whether it leads to real reforms in Liberia’s political and legislative institutions.
