Representative Marvin Cole has accused Vice President Jeremiah Koung of attempting to influence the Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling on the Bill of Information petition filed by embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
The Supreme Court is set to deliver its decision on Wednesday, March 25, 2025, regarding Speaker Koffa’s petition for clarity on an earlier ruling that could determine the leadership dispute in the House of Representatives.
Cole, a vocal member of the Manoriyy Bloc, alleged that “unconfirmed intelligence” suggests Vice President Koung is using his influence to push for a ruling that favors the majority bloc, which backs Speaker Richard Koon. He recalled past accusations that Koung had orchestrated and financed Koffa’s removal amid the ongoing power struggle in the House.
Following the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling, the Ministry of Justice issued a legal opinion asserting that the majority bloc had met all constitutional requirements to conduct legislative business, including the election of a new Speaker. The Ministry argued that Koffa’s failure to secure a quorum had rendered him incapable of leading the House, paving the way for Deputy Speaker Koon to assume leadership. The opinion further stressed the urgency of a functional legislature, particularly as Liberia prepares its 2025 national budget.
Speaking at a press conference at the Capitol Building in Monrovia, Cole reaffirmed his confidence in the Supreme Court’s integrity despite his allegations against Koung. He urged the Vice President to refrain from interfering, insisting that the law must be upheld.
“The Vice President is trying to use undue influence, but we believe in the integrity of the Supreme Court,” Cole said. “We are calling on him to stop. The law is the law, and you are not going to bend it by any means.”
Cole further alleged that Koung has been calling Associate Justices in an attempt to sway the Court’s decision while also maneuvering to influence the selection of the next Chief Justice ahead of Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh’s anticipated retirement. A key figure from the majority bloc’s Rules, Order, and Administration Committee claimed that Koung has been leveraging the Chief Justice position as a political bargaining tool.
The Supreme Court, in its December 6, 2024, ruling, reaffirmed its authority over legislative disputes, emphasizing that it is the final arbiter of constitutional matters. However, while the Court acknowledged the political complexities surrounding the House’s leadership crisis, it did not explicitly declare the majority bloc’s actions unconstitutional. Instead, it provided an interpretation of Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution, which outline quorum requirements and the Speaker’s authority. The ruling clarified that for a legislative session to be valid, a quorum must be present and the session must be chaired by either the Speaker or, in their absence, the Deputy Speaker.
Cole issued a warning to Koung, stating that the Vice President must not act as a “spoiler” but rather as a stabilizing force in the administration of President Joseph Boakai. He criticized Koung’s failure to mediate legislative disputes, accusing him of fueling tensions rather than resolving them.
Cole also took aim at Koung’s recent remarks during a U.S. trip, where he allegedly endorsed the legitimacy of the majority bloc’s leadership. Cole dismissed the Vice President’s comments as a blatant misinterpretation of constitutional law.
“The Vice President publicly stated that as long as the Sergeant-at-Arms, Clerk, and majority members are present, a legislative session is legitimate. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard,” Cole said, accusing Koung of undermining democratic processes.
In a final rebuke, Cole condemned the Justice Minister for issuing a legal opinion on the Supreme Court’s ruling, arguing that it compromised the independence of the judiciary. He asserted that by publicly interpreting the Court’s decision, the Minister had disqualified himself from ever serving on the Supreme Court Bench.
“A Justice Minister cannot undermine the Court’s ruling with political interpretations and still claim to be fit to preach the law,” Cole said.
