By Precious D. Freeman
Proceedings related to recent actions of majority lawmakers to elect Representative Richard Koon as speaker of the 55th Legislature has been declared as a direct affront to constitutional governance by the Supreme Court of Liberia.
The court’s statement was contained in its ruling in response to an amended Bill of Information filed by House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and his allies, seeking clarity on the Court’s December 6, 2024, opinion that had already delineated the constitutional parameters for legislative sessions and leadership within the House.
The High Court further declared in its April 23, 2025 opinion that the Koon-led bloc had controversially claimed to have passed the budget during one of its unauthorized sittings; a move the Court described as a “reckless endangerment” to Liberia’s fiscal credibility.
The sweeping judgment of the High Court struck down the controversial election of Representative Richard Koon as Speaker of the House of Representatives, ruling that the actions taken by the so-called “majority bloc” he led were unconstitutional, unauthorized, and devoid of legal merit.
In a sharply worded opinion, the Court reaffirmed that under Articles 33 and 49 of the 1986 Constitution, only the Speaker—or in their absence, the Deputy Speaker—is legally authorized to preside over plenary sessions.
The Court concluded that at no point was Speaker Koffa absent or incapacitated, making Koon’s claim to the Speakership and the “parallel House” he attempted to lead both illegitimate and unconstitutional.
“This Court emphatically declares that it is within the power and authority of the Supreme Court of Liberia to say what the law is without fear or favor, irrespective of the parties before the Court,” the justices wrote in their opinion.
Among the legislative actions invalidated by the Court is the passage of the national budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
According to evidence reviewed by the justices, the group had: Withheld salaries and benefits from opposing lawmakers; Disbursed public funds without authorization; Forcibly seized the Speaker’s office; Illegally attempted to recall representatives to the regional ECOWAS Parliament.
“All these actions were done in deliberate and intentional violation of the Constitution,” the Court stated. “Any sittings or actions by members of the Legislature not in conformity with the intent of Articles 33 and 49 are ultra vires.”
The Supreme Court also dismissed a legal opinion issued by the Attorney General that had sought to validate the authority of the Koon-led bloc.
The Court reiterated that while the Attorney General may offer counsel to the Executive, such opinions hold no weight over judicial rulings.
“Such opinions do not change or affect the rulings and/or opinions of the Supreme Court,” the justices wrote.
Legal analysts have hailed the judgment as a crucial intervention in what had evolved into a dangerous constitutional standoff, with two rival factions laying claim to legislative authority.
The Supreme Court’s ruling effectively shuts down the Koon-led bloc’s operations and reasserts the legal authority of Speaker Koffa.
“Failure to abide by the mandate of the Constitution is repugnant to this supreme and fundamental law,” the ruling emphasized. “Such disregard exposes the nation to lawlessness and undermines democratic governance.”
While the judgment was signed by Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh and Associate Justices Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie, Yussif D. Kaba, and Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson, it is notable that Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, dissented and did not sign the final ruling.
The nature of his dissent was not detailed in the public version of the judgment.
The Court’s judgment mandates immediate adherence to its interpretation of Articles 33 and 49 by all members of the House and nullifies any legislative actions taken by the self-styled majority bloc.
The Clerk of Court has been instructed to disseminate the judgment to all parties concerned.
Wednesday’s decision is widely viewed as a landmark ruling in defense of constitutional order.
It not only restores clarity to the legislative leadership but reasserts the Judiciary’s vital role in safeguarding Liberia’s democratic institutions.
With the ruling, the Supreme Court has decisively turned the page on months of legislative turmoil, sending a resounding message: no faction, however large or politically motivated, can operate outside the law.
Meanwhile, in a defiant and strongly worded statement by the majority bloc speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, has publicly rejected the Supreme Court’s April 23 opinion and judgment which ruled in favor of the embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
Koon asserted that the removal of Koffa was carried out in full compliance with Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution and Rule 9(a) of the House Rules, which stipulate that a Speaker can be removed by a two-thirds majority equivalent to 49 of the 73 members.
Koon noted that 50 lawmakers had signed the resolution to remove Koffa on grounds of corruption, conflict of interest, and mismanagement, all of which are violations outlined in Article 90 of the Constitution and House Rules 44 and 45.
Koon emphasized that due process was afforded to Koffa, citing the 2007 Supreme Court precedent in Snowe v. House of Representatives, and clarified that no motion for reconsideration was filed by any of the 50 members who signed the removal resolution, per Rule 17.4(q).
“The resolution removing Koffa remains valid and binding. No opinion or judgment of the Supreme Court can erase it from the official records of the House,” Koon declared.
He further stated that the House would not comply with the Court’s decision, reiterating that Plenary would not permit Koffa to preside over any session or meeting, reaffirming his own election and induction as Speaker under Rule 10.1.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, the House leadership assured the Liberian public that all legislative actions, including the enactment of the 2025 National Budget, remain lawful and enforceable.
Koon concluded by stating that Plenary is actively considering its legal and political options to challenge the Supreme Court’s decision, promising to “vigorously and assiduously” defend the autonomy of the House and uphold the governance of the Republic.
“The Supreme Court has today deviated from its own standard not to interfere in the internal workings of the first branch of government unless there is a clear constitutional breach,” the Speaker warned.
The leadership’s statement was issued under the hand and seal of Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, Sr. on April 23, 2025.
“Direct Affront To Constitutional Governance” -Supreme Court Invalidates Koon’s Speakership, But…
