The on-going leadership dispute within Liberia’s House of Representatives continues to linger as Supreme Court Justice in Chambers Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay instructs Anti-Koffa to give him a due process.
On Monday, November 4, 2024, both sides convened for a scheduled conference before His Hon. Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay.
The conference, centered on the legal and procedural validity of the Majority bloc’s attempt to unseat Speaker Koffa, drew notable legal representations on both sides.
The embattled Speaker was represented by former Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh and U.S. Sanctioned Cllr. Cyrenius Cephas, while former Grand Cape Mount County Senator Varney Sherman stood in for the Majority bloc.Justice Ja’neh and Cephas argued that their client has not been given a due process to remove him by the Majority Bloc.
Koffa’s legal team further argues that the Majority Bloc had bypassed essential procedural steps in their ouster attempt.
They claimed that no formal complaint have been lodged against Speaker Koffa, asserting that the Majority bloc is merely collecting signatures to justify their push for his removal.
The Chambers Justice questioned the Majority Bloc through their legal counsel Cllr. Varney Sherman about this alleged oversight, probing whether the Speaker has been formally informed of the charges leading to the ouster effort. Cllr. Sherman argued that the Speaker of the 55th legislature his rights as speaker of the 55th legislature, noting that his procedural protocol had been respected.
This claim was swiftly refuted by Koffa’s legal team, who maintained that without a formal complaint, the process lacked legitimacy.
Associate Justice Gbeisay reminded all parties of the importance of adhering to due process and urged the Majority bloc to conduct their actions within the proper legal channels, specifically in the main chambers Cllr. Sherman agreed to comply with this guidance.
Following the conference, Representative Samuel Kogar, leader of the Majority bloc, indicated that a legislative session would take place, though he was uncertain whether the session would convene in the main or joint chambers.
The situation remains tense on Capitol Hill, with all eyes on the session, which could determine the future leadership of the House.
