By Grace Q. Bryant
On yesterday, October 17, 2024, about 47 members of the House of Representatives affixed their signatures to a resolution calling for the removal of J. Fonati Koffa as Speaker of the 55th Legislature under a glaring act of bribery by an upfront US$15,000 to each signatory.
With signatures affixed to the resolution, it is no secret that they are James Kolleh, Dorwen Gleekia, P. Mike Jury, Ivar Jones, Clarence Garh, Steve Stequoi, Jeremiah Sokan, Johnson Williams, Samson Wiah, Anthony Taylor, Alex J. Grant, Foday Fahnbulleh, Samuel Kogar,Sam Jallah, Samuel Brown Dorwohn Gleekia, Alexander Poure and Mohammed Dossi.
Others are Isaac Bannie, Obediah Varney, Samuel Brown, Michael Thomas, Samuel Kogar, Clarence Banks, Ernest Manseah, Anthony Williams, Mustapha Warrothy, Nyan Flomo, Saye Mianah, Marie Johnson, Richard Koon, Sekou Kanneh, Prince Koinah, Nyan G. Flomo, Bintu Massalay, Austin Taylor, Prescilla Cooper, Michael Thomas, Nehkeve Gaye, Momo Siafa Kpoto, Matthew Joe, Rugie Barry, Gizzie Kollince, Julie Wiah, Prince Toles, and Neker Gaye.
The names above depict that this resolution was signed by majority of the lawmakers of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), of which, Speaker Koffa is a staunch member; though heavily supported by other members of the opposition political parties including Representative Richard Nagbe Koon, Fornati’s main rival contender during the speakership election.
The allegations of bribery, which demonstrated a ‘pay-for-play’ engrained scheme driven my members of the former ruling party, witnessed members of the Legislature ignited in fierce tension thus culminating into a chaotic scene marred by heated confrontations and even physical altercations among them and their supporters.
The lawmakers, in their petition read within the premises of seat of the Legislature, raised serious questions about the integrity of the legislative process, precisely the House of Representatives under the leadership of Koffa.
According to the petitioners (lawmakers), their decision against Koffa, who has served as Speaker barely 10 months, centers on claims that he has on several occasions used his position to extract financial favors from various stakeholders in exchange for legislative support.
However, the resolution which was read by Nimba County District 2 Representative, Nyan Flomo, was done while the Speaker was out of the country on official duties with President Joseph Boakai, and is expected to return today, October 18, 2024.
Supporters of Speaker Koffa attributed the move to oust the Speaker to the ongoing audit of the House, which he initiated while also accusing Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah of being the masterminded behind the plot and bribery.
According to sources within the Legislature, the allegations against Koffa emerged after a series of closed-door meetings, where lawmakers discussed the distribution of funds with each lawmakers receiving US$15,000 as an initial payment while the balance of US$10, 000 was promised pending the final removal of the Speaker.
The lawmakers further accused Koffa of violating ethical standards and undermining the trust of the public in the legislative process.
“We cannot allow corruption to fester in our government and this decision is about accountability and ensuring that our leaders are held to the highest standards,” Rep. Flomo, a supporter of Koon during the speakership election, asserted.
They argued that their decision is in line with Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution and which states, “The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other officers so elected may be removed from office for cause by resolution of two-thirds majority of the members of the House” and Rule 9.1 of the Rules and Procedures of the House of Representatives which was not stated.
“Based on Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution and Rule 9.1 of the Rules and Procedures of the House of Representatives, members of 2/3 majority have found causes below for the removal of Cllr. J. Fonati. Koffa as Speaker of the Honorable House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature,” Rep. Flomo added openly.
The resolution furthered, “Now therefore, as consequence of our signatures as herein affixed constituting two-thirds of majority members of the House of Representatives, we hereby agree, affirm, and reaffirm our resolve that immediately upon our approbation as the below signatories.”
“That the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Kofa be relieved of his post to restore peace, harmony, honor, and dignity to the House of Representatives.
That the Deputy Speaker be made to preside consistent with Rule 10 of the House’s Rules and Procedures manual on Succession of the Leadership. Rule 10.1 states, “When the office of the Speaker shall become vacant by reason of removal, death, resignation, inability or other disabilities, the Deputy Speaker shall act as Speaker until a new speaker is elected within sixty days,” he added.
However, legislative pundits surmised that in line with Article 49 of the Constitution, the reading of a mere resolution by any ‘so-called’ majority bloc outside the chambers does not fully satisfy the formal removal of a Speaker.
The entire process must take place during an official session, where the resolution is included on the session’s agenda and it shall be read within the session, followed by the application of due process.
Subsequently, a vote must be taken.
They maintained that a simple majority vote, when conducted during the session, will then determine as to whether the Speaker is removed or retained.
“Also, what has occurred so far only fulfills the initial step which is drafting the resolution and reading it on the ‘Capitol Grounds’. These actions reflect the lawmakers’ intent and their reasons for seeking the Speaker’s removal. To this end, the Speaker has not yet been officially removed,” many political minds deduced.
However, Deputy Speaker Fallah has since distanced himself from the scheme to unseat Speaker Koffa and maintains that his relationship with the Speaker remains amicable.
He attributed the rising tensions to misinformation being spread by certain members of the opposition CDC.
Fallah has called on aggrieved members of the party to resolve their differences peacefully, adding, “I support Speaker Koffa and the CDC. I advise my colleagues within the CDC who are upset to address this issue without resorting to violence.”
Meanwhile, the fallout from the resolution has been swift and severe as news of the tensions escalated within the legislature, leading to a chaotic scene during session where lawmakers gathered to discuss the matter.
Supporters of Koffa clashed with those advocating for his removal, resulting in a physical confrontation that left some individuals injured.
According to eye-witnesses’ accounts, the violent clashed also led to major destructions within the Joint Chambers of the Legislature.
Our reporter further described the scene as chaotic as lawmakers shouted over one another, with some engaging in fist fight, resulting into the disruption of normal legislative activities.
Our reporter added that the violence later prompted security personnel to intervene, and several lawmakers were accompanied out of the chamber as tensions continued to escalate.
Our reporter, who closely followed the developments, also stated that the 47 representatives, who signed, appeared resolved and announced a scheduled special session for next Tuesday to conduct a new election to vote a speaker.
