MONROVIA: The Supreme Court has ordered the breakaway group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives to cease all actions and return to the status quo while it reviews Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa’s petition, challenging his removal.
The court, in a writ issued on November 22, 2024, directed the Minister of Justice and members of the House of Representatives involved in the dispute to file their responses by November 26, 2024.
It also ordered the ‘majority bloc’, currently led by Montserrado County Representative, Richard Koon, to cease all further actions until the matter is resolved.
The leadership crisis further escalated on November 21, when the ‘majority bloc’ controversially convened in the Joint Chambers of the Legislature, and declared the Speaker Koffa’s seat vacant, and selected Representative Koon as the ‘new speaker.’
The bloc cited dissatisfaction with Koffa’s leadership, accusing him of ignoring their concerns.
In a swift response, Speaker Koffa dismissed the actions of the ‘majority bloc’ as unconstitutional and invalid.
“Nothing has happened,” Speaker Koffa declared in a Facebook post, vowing to remain in office. His allies condemned the move, calling it a “mockery of democracy” and a blatant violation of constitutional and legislative norms.
Koffa’s legal team filed a petition with the Supreme Court on November 19, 2024, accusing the ‘majority bloc’, then headed by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, of deliberately boycotting Plenary Sessions to paralyze the House.
The petition argues that the boycott violates Article 33 of the Constitution, which requires a quorum for legislative proceedings, including the passage of the 2025 National Budget.
“The respondents’ refusal to attend duly convened legislative sessions has impeded the house’s ability to perform its constitutional duties, including the enactment of the national budget,” the petition reads.
The petitioners requested the Supreme Court to compel the ‘majority bloc’ to attend Plenary Sessions and to declare their actions unconstitutional. They further called for a review by the full Bench of the High Court, given the grave constitutional implications of the crisis.
At the same time, some lawmakers who initially supported the resolution to remove Speaker Koffa have rescinded their backing, presenting notarized affidavits to withdraw their signatures.
These include Representatives Matthew Joe (Grand Bassa), Thomas Goshua (Grand Bassa), Priscilla Cooper (Montserrado), Bintu Massalay (Grand Cape Mount), Rugiyatu Barry (Montserrado), and Luther Collins (Gbarpolu).
Meanwhile, the Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) agrees with the Supreme Court of Liberia in calling for the return to status quo ante in the matter involving members of the House of Representatives (Majority and Minority blocs).
PAL is concerned about the unfolding events at the National Legislature which is the first Branch of Government, the prolong standoff between the majority and minority blocs; a crisis which has affected legislative functions and the governance of the state.
PAL acknowledges the Supreme Court as the final arbiter of justice in the land and at such, calls on all parties to respect the decision of the High Court and the rule of law.
PAL at the same time calls on its members and all media institutions to avoid inflaming the already fragile situation, as doing so has the propensity to undermine the security of the state and our fragile democracy.
PAL comprises of owners and Managing Editors of Newspapers and Online Publications with over 20 members.
