Monrovia, Liberia – Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, the embattled Speaker of the House of Representatives, has raised serious concerns regarding the authority and legality of a letter sent to him by Chief Clerk Madam Mildred Sayon.
In a letter dated January 31, 2025, Koffa responded to a communication allegedly transmitted by Sayon, which was purported to inform him of a decision made by the House of Representatives plenary regarding his office.
Koffa’s letter asserts that the House plenary had not decided on the matter despite the communication sent to him.
According to Koffa, a vote held on January 30, 2025, by the plenary majority was to defer the committee report concerning his office until February 4, 2025.
Koffa strongly contested the validity of the letter from Sayon, claiming that it unlawfully attempted to bypass the legislative body’s authority and was a “usurpation” of the plenary’s functions.
In the letter, Koffa expressed his belief that Sayon’s communication was unauthorized and carried the implications of an unlawful act. He further directed a pointed message to those allegedly behind the decision, claiming that they had obtained their positions through what he described as “illegal” means with the support of the executive branch.
His letter also referenced the involvement of the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Oswald Tweh’s interpretations of the events, according to Koffa, had led to the current dispute.
Koffa made it clear that he would not entertain further inquiries on the matter, reaffirming his stance on the legality of the actions taken and questioning the legitimacy of the process.
The situation continues to intensify, with commentators on Facebook observing that the Liberian legislature is struggling with internal challenges regarding the speakership.
The implications of this dispute could have far-reaching consequences for the functioning of the House. Amos B. Dorbor noted that as the committee report is set to be reviewed on February 4, all eyes will be on how the legislative body and its leadership address these legal and procedural challenges.
