By Grace Q. Bryant
A two-thirds majority of the House of Representatives have written a six-count resolution against speaker Fonati Koffa, with allegations ranging from conflict of interest, dishonesty in parliamentary dealings, budget mismanagement, and other infractions that violate the rules and laws governing the House of Representatives and the Republic of Liberia.
The motion for removal, brought by a coalition of lawmakers, outlines several key issues that have tarnished the Speaker’s leadership. At the forefront of the allegations is his involvement as lead consultant and lawyer for multiple government agencies, concessions, and private companies, all of which fall under the direct oversight of the House of Representatives.
These entities include the Liberia Petroleum and Refining Corporation, Liberia Maritime Authority, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, and several others.
Lawmakers argue that this creates a conflict of interest that hampers the efficient functioning of legislative committees.
According to House Rules 45.1 and 45.2, members must avoid conflicts that could undermine the dignity of the House or interfere with their responsibilities.
Moreover, the Speaker is accused of single-handedly selecting Liberia’s representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament; an action that lawmakers say was not based on elections as mandated by the ECOWAS Protocol.
They allege that Speaker Koffa falsely claimed to have conducted elections in February 2024 when he submitted the list of representatives to ECOWAS, thus violating both Liberian House rules on honesty and transparency and the international protocol.
A key point in the motion is the Speaker’s alleged overspending during his tenure as Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature.
The fiscal records for the year 2023 show an overrun of over US$4 million, more than twice the budgeted amount, leading to concerns about misuse of public resources. This accusation directly contravenes Article 5(c) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, which calls for efforts to combat corruption and other abuses of power. The House rules further mandate that members remain free from corrupt practices and uphold transparency.
Lawmakers have also criticized Speaker Koffa for his unilateral alteration of the National Budget and the establishment of new committees and departments within the House of Representatives without the approval of plenary, the highest decision-making body.
Among the departments created were the Fleet Department, Nursing Department, and Legal Counsel Department. This move, they argue, violates House Rule 63, which requires plenary approval for any structural changes.
The most striking element of the motion involves Speaker Koffa’s criminal record in the United States. It has been revealed that the Speaker was convicted and disbarred for embezzling approximately half a million dollars during his time as Town Manager of Zebulon, North Carolina.
Although he is still performing community service as part of his restitution, lawmakers argue that this record undermines the integrity of the House of Representatives and has damaging consequences for Liberia’s image.
The two-thirds majority in the House is calling for the immediate removal of Speaker Koffa, citing his numerous violations of House rules, constitutional provisions, and international protocols.
The motion concludes that Speaker Koffa’s actions are incompatible with his role and harmful to the reputation of the House and the Liberian Government.
As the resolution moves forward, it remains to be seen how the legislative process will unfold and whether Speaker Koffa will face removal or be able to defend himself against the charges.
The situation has drawn attention from both national and international observers, who are closely monitoring the impact this political development could have on Liberia’s governance and stability.
However, in a dramatic twist has begun as six of the 47 lawmakers who initially supported the resolution have officially retracted their signatures.
The representatives, hailing from various counties, cited different reasons for their decision, ranging from concerns over transparency to revelations of bribery allegations.
The six representatives are Thomas A. Goshua (Grand Bassa County), Austin Taylor (Maryland County), Prescilla Cooper (Montserrado County), Rugie Barry (Montserrado County), Bintu Massalay (Grand Cape Mount County), and Matthew Joe (Grand Bassa County).
Rep. Goshua clarified, explaining that his signature on the resolution was part of an internal investigation rather than an endorsement of Speaker Koffa’s removal.
Goshua stated that he had been tasked with gathering information on the motives behind the resolution and the number of signatures in support of it.
He revealed that the push to remove Koffa was motivated by opposition to the Speaker’s bold decision to initiate an audit of the House of Representatives, which he described as a “significant development” aimed at promoting transparency and accountability.
“Speaker Koffa’s proposal to audit the House is an unprecedented move toward ensuring that the people’s representatives are accountable to those they serve,” Goshua said.
He emphasized his continued support for Koffa’s leadership and reforms, declaring his decision to rescind his signature as a stand for good governance.
Rep. Bintu Massalay echoed similar sentiments, distancing herself from any efforts to oust the Speaker. She asserted that her participation in meetings where procedural issues were discussed had been misinterpreted.
Massalay stressed that she remained loyal to Speaker Koffa and the CDC party, reiterating her commitment to principles of good governance affirming, “I did not sign, nor receive any money or authorize any resolution to remove Speaker Koffa.”
Representatives Prescilla Cooper and Rugie Barry voiced strong objections to the alleged financial incentives behind the resolution.
Cooper, representing District 5 in Montserrado, condemned what she described as a “hostile takeover,” expressing her dismay at the influence of money in the process. “I will not be a part of any actions that undermine integrity”, Cooper declared.
Rep. Rugie Barry, representing District 1 in Montserrado, similarly withdrew her support after learning of the bribery allegations.
She emphasized her commitment to maintaining her integrity, stating, “I have built my integrity throughout my life and will not allow it to be tarnished.” She urged her colleagues to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issues.
Rep. Matthew Joe, from Grand Bassa County’s District 3, initially supported the resolution due to concerns over Speaker Koffa’s close relationship with the Executive Branch.
However, Joe rescinded his signature, expressing support for the Speaker’s decision to audit the House and foster transparency. He reaffirmed his loyalty to Speaker Koffa and his leadership saying, ” The audit of the House is a vital step in ensuring transparency and accountability.”
Rep. Austin Taylor, representing Maryland County, also reversed his decision, condemning the alleged “pay-to-play” practices surrounding the resolution.
Taylor reaffirmed his commitment to ethical governance, calling for an immediate investigation into the bribery allegations. “I denounce a process marred by fraud and legislative malfeasance”, he stated.
At the center of the controversy is Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s initiative to audit the House of Representatives, an unprecedented move that has faced significant opposition.
The proposed audit is seen as a critical step in promoting accountability and rooting out corruption within the legislature. However, the effort has sparked divisions, with some lawmakers viewing it as a threat to their interests.
The six lawmakers have called for an investigation into the bribery allegations with a renewed focus on legislative reforms may shape the next steps in this unfolding political drama.
