By Grace Q. Bryant
The embattled Speaker, Fonati Koffa, Representative Musa Hassan Bility, and three others are said to be on expulsion roll by the Richard Koon’s leadership in the House of Representatives due to what they termed as ‘repeated absences from Legislative sessions.’
The House plenary has moved to enforce disciplinary measures against members who have consistently failed to fulfill their Legislative duties.
The issue was raised on Tuesday by Bong County District 2 Representative, James Kolleh.
He called on plenary to take firm action, arguing that it is unfair for lawmakers to receive salaries and benefits while neglecting their responsibilities.
“I thought it wise to bring this to the attention of plenary after observing that many of our colleagues have not been showing up for sessions, despite this being a constitutional responsibility imposed on us as the people’s deputies,” Kolleh stated.
He noted that the problem of absenteeism began in the first session of the 55th Legislature and has continued into the second session, despite repeated reminders to lawmakers about their obligation to attend plenary sittings.
“Why take the people’s money when you are not justifying it through your work?” Kolleh questioned, urging plenary to enforce disciplinary measures.
Kolleh referenced Rule 21 of the House Standing Orders, which requires lawmakers to submit written excuses for missed sessions.
He also cited Rule 48, which outlines disciplinary actions against legislators who fail to comply with House regulations.
According to Rule 21, no lawmaker should miss more than two weeks of sessions without formal approval from the House like for absences of fewer than two weeks, a written excuse must be provided.
Kolleh emphasized the importance of enforcing House rules to uphold the integrity of the Legislature and called on plenary to act decisively.
“Where is the rule of law when we are in complete contradiction of our own standing rules?” he asked.
He argued that allowing lawmakers to collect taxpayers’ money while failing to perform their duties undermines public confidence in the House.
“The Liberian people elected us to serve, not to stay away from work while enjoying salaries, gasoline allowances, and other benefits,” Kolleh stressed.
Margibi County District 2 Representative Ivar Jones backed Kolleh’s concerns and filed a motion for plenary to invoke Rule 48.7 if the absent lawmakers fail to attend the upcoming session on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Following deliberations, plenary instructed the Chief Clerk to officially notify the defaulting lawmakers, giving them until Thursday to appear or face disciplinary action.
The following lawmakers, who have been absent for multiple legislative sessions include , Speaker Koffa, Grand Kru; Bility, Nimba County District 7; Taa Z. Wongbe, Nimba County District 9; Roland Opee Cooper, Margibi County District 1 and Luther S. Collins (Gbarpolu County District 2.
In as much as Rule 48.7 authorizes the plenary to impose disciplinary actions based on the severity of the violation but legislative pundits believe that such action does not amount to expulsion in no way because every lawmaker was elected by a certain number of their constituency and no single or group of their colleagues are clothed with any wit of power to retire them.
Accordingly, the measures could include oral or written warning, suspension for up to 30 legislative days, with salary and benefits withheld but expulsion from the House for repeated violations could amount to court’s decision or uprising from constituents.
Howbeit, any request for disciplinary action must be in writing, supported by evidence, and reviewed by the Committee on Rules and Order before a final decision is made and no law supersede the Constitution of Liberia.
The Constitution states that constituents can rally votes to remove their sitting representative or…
Rep. Jones bragged that if the absent lawmakers fail to appear, plenary will have no choice but to invoke Rule 48.7, which could lead to suspensions or even permanent removal from the Legislature.
According to Article 38 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, “Each House shall adopt its own rules of procedure, enforce order and with the concurrence of two-thirds of the entire membership, may expel a member for a cause…. All rules adopted by the Legislature shall conform to the requirements of due process of law laid down in this Constitution.”