By Bill W. Cooper
Ahead of the planed conference at the Supreme Court, the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) legislative caucus in consultation with leaders has called on members of the House of Representatives to rescind its latest decision to ‘illegally’ suspend the Montserrado County District 10 Representative, Yekeh Kolubah.
“We the members of the CPP caucus with consent of the CPP executives and political leaders are hereby calling on the leadership and the entire membership of House of Representatives to rescind its decision to illegally and unconstitutionally suspend Hon. Yekeh Kolubah for 30 sitting days,” the CPP Caucus said.
Addressing a news conference yesterday at their Capitol Building office in Monrovia, the CPP Caucus chairperson, Bong County District 7 Rep. Joseph P. Kolleh noted that the decision by their colleagues to suspend one of their own is somehow troubling and saddened and as such, there is need for said decision to be cancelled.
According to him, while it is true that Rep. Kolubah should be accountable for his free speech, it will also be unfortunate for the legislative floor to be used against another member to punish him/her for utterances used outside of the Legislature something which he said is a serious procedural and unconstitutional decision.
Rep. Kolleh explained further that not that only Rep. Kolubah was illegally suspended but that his constitutional right as lawmaker guaranteed under Article 38 of the Constitutional which requires two-thirds members of the entire membership to suspend a members was also violated.
Article 38 states, “Each House shall adopts its own rules of procedure, enforce order, and with the concurrence of two-thirds of the entire membership, may expel a members for cause.”
Using the Isaac Nyenabo vs the Liberian Senate as case study, the Bong County lawmaker said, “In support of the Constitution, the Supreme Court opinion on the Isaac Nyenabo Vs the Liberian Senate clearly articulated how such proceeding for temporary and permanent removal of a member must be done, and anything falling short is a flaw.”
“Let me make this clear, we from the CPP’s angle are not in support of the words sometimes used by our colleague but if you want to take it against him, that should be done in accordance with due process and in line with the Constitution because two rights cannot make a wrong,” he said.
Also buttressing their colleague’s assertion, Reps. Larry P. Younquoi, Hanson Kiazolu and Richard N. Koon all frowned and condemned their colleagues’ decision to suspend Rep. Kolubah, noting that there is need for said decision to be nullified as soon as possible.
They further descended on Associate justice Nagbe’s decision to call for a conference instead of placing a stay-order on the House’s decision as was prayed for by their colleague; noting that Justice Nagbe’s action clearly indicates that he is in support of the decision and wants the District 10 lawmaker to serve his suspension while the conference is being held.
They added, “Rep. kolubah prayed for Writ of Prohibition because he was not accorded a due process and that his right was being violated by his colleagues. So then, why Justice Nagbe did not issued the writ initially before thoroughly looking into the issue by calling for a conference; with that, I think the Justice-in-Chambers had some interior motive.”
Meanwhile, the CPP Caucus has vowed to support Rep. Kolubah in whatever actions he deems appropriate if the House of Representatives fails to rescind its decision and restore his freedom.
Recently, Rep. Kolubah was suspended by the House of Representatives for 30 sitting/session days without salary and other benefits for what his colleagues termed as his continuous invectives rendered against the Liberians presidency and that triggered his decision to run to the Supreme Court for a stay-order so that the court can provide an interpretation of the law which include both the Constitution and their own rules.
Rep. Kolubah’s argument among other things is that there should be absolutely no laws that should contravene the Liberian Constitution and their rules should be no exception even though the Constitution gives them the right to establish their own rules.
Rep. Kolubah is expected to appear tomorrow, Thursday, April 22, by 3:00 P.M before the Justice-in-Chambers for a conference with the concerned parties at his Temple of Justice.