A significant move within the House of Representatives culminated in the vote of 47 members to remove Speaker Hon. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa from his position, citing multiple allegations of misconduct and conflicts of interest.
The resolution for Koffa’s removal was supported by two-thirds of the House, as mandated by Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution and Rule 9.1 of the House Rules.
The decision follows serious accusations that Koffa has been involved in numerous conflicts of interest.
“As a consultant and lawyer for various government agencies and private companies under the House’s oversight, his actions were deemed incompatible with his role as Speaker.”
Allegations pointed to entities such as the Liberia Petroleum and Refining Corporation and the National Port Authority as part of these conflicts.
Further compounding the issues were claims that Koffa misrepresented the election of Liberia’s representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament, allegedly submitting a list without conducting the required electoral process.
This act was viewed as a violation of ECOWAS protocols, raising concerns over his transparency and honesty in office.
Additionally, Koffa faced scrutiny for overspending during his tenure as Deputy Speaker, with reports indicating he exceeded his budget by nearly $3 million.Such financial irregularities raised alarms about potential systemic corruption within the House.
The resolution also highlighted Koffa’s unilateral decision-making regarding the establishment and merging of committees without approval from the House, violating procedural rules. This led to further accusations of administrative incompetence.
Moreover, Koffa’s past as a convicted embezzler in North Carolina has surfaced as a critical concern, undermining his credibility and affecting the House’s integrity.
In light of these issues, the Representatives emphasized the need to restore honor and dignity to the institution.
Following the resolution, the Deputy Speaker is set to assume the role of acting Speaker until a new election can be held within the stipulated time-frame.
This development signals a tumultuous period for the House of Representatives as it grapples with leadership and accountability challenges.
