Seven members of the 55th Legislature have petitioned the Supreme Court of Liberia, demanding the immediate disbursement of their withheld salaries and benefits.
Chambers Justice Ceainch Clinton-Johnson has issued a writ of mandamus, ordering Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and House Comptroller Emmanuel Kopi to appear before the Court and explain why they have allegedly refused to release the lawmakers’ legally entitled compensation since October 2024.
The petitioners, including Representatives Abu Kamara (Montserrado County District #15), Marvin Cole (Bong County District #3), Frank Saah Foko (Montserrado County District #9), Edward Papie Flomo (Montserrado County District #13), Eugene Kollie (Bong County District #5), Alex Noah (Sinoe County District #3), and Zinnah Norman (Gbarpolu County District #1), argue that their salaries have been unlawfully withheld despite their legitimate election on October 10, 2023, and subsequent swearing-in on January 15, 2024.
The lawmakers contend that withholding their salaries is politically motivated, allegedly orchestrated by the “Majority Bloc” in the House of Representatives. They assert that this action directly violates Liberia’s National Budget and financial management regulations. The petitioners also cite a Supreme Court ruling that deemed actions taken by the Majority Bloc unconstitutional unless the duly elected Speaker was presiding. Despite this ruling, they claim the Ministry of Finance and the Comptroller have persisted in withholding their pay.
Citing Article 66 of the 1986 Constitution, which grants the Supreme Court authority to issue remedial writs, the petitioners maintain that refusing to pay their salaries constitutes a breach of their rights under Articles 20 and 25 of the Constitution. They argue that withholding their salaries lacks any legal basis and violates their due process rights.
Justice Clinton-Johnson has ordered the Ministry of Finance and the Comptroller to file their responses by March 10, 2025, and to appear before the Court on the same Day at 9:00 a.m. If the writ is granted, the respondents could be compelled to disburse the lawmakers’ salaries and benefits immediately.
