Monrovia, Liberia—Verity News has learned that the embattled Speaker of the 55th Legislature, Hon. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, along with a group of minority lawmakers in the House of Representatives, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court Justice-in-Chambers. They accuse the majority bloc, led by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, of deliberately boycotting legislative sessions.
The lawmakers’ petition argues that this boycott has triggered a constitutional crisis by obstructing the House’s ability to fulfil its duties, including passing the 2025 national budget.
In their petition, dated November 19, 2024, to Associate Justice Gbeisay, Koffa, and his pro-minority faction contend that the majority bloc has consistently refused to attend plenary sessions despite receiving official invitations. A notarized affidavit from the House’s Sergeant-at-Arms, confirming the majority’s absence, was submitted as evidence to the high court.
The petitioners argue that this refusal to attend sessions violates Liberia’s Constitution, specifically Article 33 of the 1986 Constitution, which mandates a quorum of a simple majority to conduct legislative business. According to the petition, the absence of the majority bloc has left the House unable to perform its duties, including passing crucial legislation like the national budget.
“This deliberate refusal by the majority bloc to attend legislative sessions is obstructing the House from executing its constitutional and legislative functions,” the petition reads. “This has created a constitutional impasse that requires urgent resolution,” the petition continues.
The petitioners’ legal team, led by Counsellors Arthur T. Johnson and James E. Pierre, has asked the Supreme Court to declare the majority bloc’s actions a violation of the Constitution and to compel them to comply with the law.
Koffa’s legal team also requested that Justice-in-Chambers Yamie Quaqua Gbeisay forward the matter to the full bench for immediate attention, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the constitutional crisis.
Political analysts and legal experts have warned that the deadlock could disrupt government operations and further erode public trust in the legislature.
The majority bloc has not formally responded to the petition, though it recently endorsed a resolution calling for Speaker Koffa’s seat to be declared vacant.
The case is now in the hands of the Supreme Court Justice-in-Chamber, and the future of the House of Representatives is at stake. All eyes are now on the Supreme Court as the hearing outcome awaits in the coming weeks.
