The leadership of the House of Representatives has sharply rebuffed recent claims made by former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa regarding withholding staff salaries and benefits. Koffa’s accusations on his social media page suggested that the non-payment of wages resulted from his removal as Speaker. However, the House leadership asserts that these claims are misleading and do not reflect the actual circumstances.
In a statement issued on December 22, 2024, Ambassador Robert Benjamin Haynes, Director of Public Relations for the House of Representatives, clarified that the House employs over 60 staff members. Following Koffa’s removal from office, these staff members are no longer under his direct supervision; instead, they report to the newly appointed Speaker, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon. According to the press release, this shift in responsibilities is a standard procedure that follows leadership changes within the legislative body.
The press release further explained that as a current lawmaker representing Grand Kru County District #2, Koffa is entitled to 16 staff members, as per the policy governing all House members. In accordance with House regulations, Hon. James Kolleh, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration, formally requested Koffa to submit the names of his 16 staff members for processing their December salaries. This request was made one week ago and is part of the procedural process to ensure staff compensation is properly handled.
The leadership under Speaker Koon emphasized its commitment to ensuring all employees of the House are compensated fairly for their work, underlining the importance of their contributions to the functioning of the Legislature. The statement also noted that the salary processing is not merely a seasonal gesture but a reflection of the House’s broader dedication to transparency and the fulfillment of its obligations.
The release comes amid growing tensions within the House, particularly following Koffa’s remarks on December 21, 2024, where he criticized the leadership for withholding salaries and benefits from seven suspended lawmakers. Koffa likened the situation to an unfair “numbers game,” accusing the majority bloc of using political power to target dissenting voices, particularly during the holiday season.
The controversy began on December 20, 2024, when it was revealed that more than two million Liberian dollars, designated for the December salaries of the suspended lawmakers, had been deposited into the Government’s consolidated account. The suspended members include Hon. Abu Bana Kamara, Hon. Alex S. Noah, Hon. Edward P. Flomo, Hon. Eugine J.M. Kollie, Hon. Frank S. Foko, Hon. J. Marvin Cole, and Hon. Zinnah Norman. These suspensions were imposed due to misconduct allegations, with some suspensions lasting over three months.
The decision to withhold the salaries, according to Representative Kolleh, is in line with the Legislature’s efforts to enforce disciplinary actions. Some lawmakers, like Hon. Flomo and Hon. Kamara, faced suspensions of up to 30 working days, while others, like Hon. Cole, were suspended for behavior deemed inappropriate for a legislator.
Koffa’s statement has generated criticism from various quarters, with many accusing the legislative leadership of using financial penalties as political retribution. His comments resonate with a growing sentiment that the current atmosphere in the House is driven more by partisan interests than by principles of fairness or justice.
