Monrovia, Liberia – The Supreme Court of Liberia is set to deliver a historic ruling on the ongoing leadership crisis within the House of Representatives. The decision will determine whether Speaker J. Fonati Koffa will retain his position or if Representative Richard Nagbe Koon, who was controversially elected by the self-styled “Majority Bloc,” will assume the role of Speaker.
The dispute, simmering for over a month, intensified after the Majority Bloc declared Koffa’s position vacant and elected Koon as Speaker. In addition, the bloc dissolved all committees under Koffa’s leadership and suspended three lawmakers for alleged violations of parliamentary rules.
In response, Speaker Koffa and his supporters petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing that the actions of the Majority Bloc were unconstitutional. The Court issued a stay order, halting the bloc’s activities while it reviewed the case.
During Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides, including the Majority Bloc’s legal team and Speaker Koffa’s defenders.
The Ministry of Justice, represented by Solicitor General Augustine Fayiah and Assistant Minister for Litigation Jerry Garlawolu, took a neutral stance, emphasizing that the matter concerned internal legislative procedures rather than constitutional violations.
Representing the Majority Bloc, Cllr. H. Varney Sherman argued that the Court should not intervene, citing the doctrine of separation of powers. He contended that the House of Representatives had the constitutional authority to remove its Speaker and that the process followed in Koffa’s case was legitimate. Cllr. Sherman also defended the election of Koon, asserting that the House acted per its rules.
On the other side, Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson, representing Speaker Koffa, argued that the actions of the Majority Bloc were unconstitutional and violated both the House’s standing rules and the 1986 Constitution. He emphasized that Koffa was denied due process, including the right to confront witnesses. Cllr. Johnson called for the Court to nullify all actions the Majority Bloc took, warning that failure could set a dangerous precedent, allowing political forces to undermine constitutional provisions.
The justices questioned the legality of the Majority Bloc’s actions, especially the validity of meetings held in Koffa’s absence. Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh and Associate Justice Yusif D. Kaba sought clarification on whether the removal of Speaker Koffa could be legally carried out without his presence, as required by the Constitution.
Cllr. Johnson also referenced the Edwin Snowe case as a precedent, urging the Court to assert its authority in addressing constitutional violations within the Legislature, particularly given that the Majority Bloc continued to hold sessions despite the stay order.
As the Supreme Court prepares to rule, all eyes are on the potential consequences of its decision, which could have far-reaching implications for the balance of power in Liberia’s Legislature.
