PRO-KOFFA LAWMAKERS SURRENDER TO MAJORITY BLOC ATTEND SESSION UNDER KOON’S SPEAKERSHIP

Matalay Kollie & Albert Fania

January 8,2025

MONROVIA: After months of standoff at the House of Representatives between Pro-Koffa Lawmakers and the Majority blog over the removal of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa based on alleged corruption, abuse of power. conflict of interest among others, the minority bloc has finally surrendered to the Majority Bloc and has agreed to attend Sessions Under Koon’s Speakership.

The Chairman of the minority bloc and Nimba County seventh district lawmaker Rep. Musa Hassan Bility announced on Tuesday January 7, 2025, that the minority bloc has decided to participate in legislative sessions under Speaker Richard Nageba Koon but with several conditions. The decision by the minority bloc to return to session comes after nearly four months of bottlenecks at the House of Representatives over the removal of Speaker Kaffa

Koffa’s removal according to the majority bloc stems from his failure to discharge his official duties in a manner that is fair, proper, and impartial. The majority bloc stated that on February 7, 2024, Speaker Koffa submitted a list of three representatives to the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament without conducting the required election, terming his action as deliberate and intended to mislead the regional body thus violating procedures, and casting a shadow on Liberia’s representation and undermining the principles of fairness and democracy.

The majority bloc further alleged that Speaker Koffa is entangled with multiple conflicts of interest acting as a lead consultant and legal advisor for different Government Agencies which include, concessions, private companies, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Liberia Maritime Authority, and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority all of which fall under the oversight of the very House he presides over.

“This blatant abuse of power coupled with his continued involvement in private legal work, directly violates the House’s own Rule 45.1, which mandates members to withdraw from matters in which they have an interest, and Rule 45.2, which prohibits members from engaging in occupations that are incompatible with their legislative responsibilities. These clear violations tarnish the image and prestige of the House and undermine public trust in our institution”

The majority bloc added “The most serious concern, however, is the issue of corruption. Speaker Koffa has been directly involved in acts of financial mismanagement that have cost the Liberian people millions of dollars. According to the majority bloc, detailed review of the 2022 and 2023 budget outturn reveals that Speaker Koffa, during his tenure as Deputy Speaker, manipulated the budget to divert millions of dollars to his office. In 2022, while the Legislature approved $1.5 million for his”.

But addressing a news conference in Monrovia, Bility emphasized that the situation on capitol hill has resulted to huge dispute amongst lawmakers leading to the disruption of regular sessions and series of protests at the Legislature attributing it to the Supreme Court’s failure to provide clarification on rulings regarding the ongoing impasse between the two blocs at the House of Representatives.

Bility noted that the need for a different approach to resolve their differences is key stating that the minority bloc aims is to utilize sessions to formally express their objections to the election of Speaker Koon noting that speaker Koffa was legitimately elected in accordance with both the Constitution and House Rules. The minority bloc chairman condemned the suspension and withholding of salaries for some lawmakers, which he thinks is a violation of established House rules.

The Pro-Koffa bloc is concerned about the refusal to release benefits to its members, despite the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning remittance of th funds to the House of Representatives. “We want to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law, which includes pursuing both legal actions and legislative solutions within the House of Representatives, we extend our gratitude to the people of Liberia for their continued support and assure them of our unwavering commitment to the rule of law.” Rep. Bility said.

Four of Pro-Koffa’s lawmakers joined the Majority Bloc for deliberations in session on Tuesday January 6, 2025. Those who joined were, Reps. Sumo Mulbah, Ellen Attoh Wreh, Romeo Quioh, and Priscilla Cooper. Welcoming them on board, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Speaker Koon extended an invitation to all Pro-Koffa lawmakers to attend future sessions.

Meanwhile, Reps. Attoh Wreh and Mulbah clarified that their participation in Tuesday’s session should not be misconstrued as a withdrawal of support for Speaker Koffa. They emphasized that their attendance is aimed at fostering legislative dialogue and promote reconciliation within the House, while Rep. Quioh stated that his decision to join the Majority Bloc was driven by the need to better represent his constituents.