Monrovia – Just a motion and subsequent concurrence from members of the House of Representatives, mainly from colleagues of the ‘Majority Block’ was enough to save Deputy House Speaker, Thomas Fallah from being a major subject of investigation for reportedly bringing that august into public disrepute.
Request for Probe
In a communication by Grand Gedeh County Electoral District 3 Representative, Jacob Debee, II read during the 15th day sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, he craved plenary to demand Deputy Speaker Fallah to retract a public statement attributed to him (Fallah) in which he uttered: “Richard Koon needs time to grow and learn, he didn’t play a major leadership role in the House of Representatives till he became Speaker; there are reasons he needs to change some of his attitude and lifestyle: but he enjoys our confidence. Koon is my man, but he has made a lot of blunders, and I’m working with him to address them. He is learning, and 1 hope he picks things up quickly”.
The Grand Gedeh County lawmaker pointed out that such a statement, made in a public forum, particularly on the popular ‘Spoon Talk’ on Spoon FM, has the propensity to denigrate the House of Representatives.
The Speaker of the House is first among equals, and for his Deputy to make comments that reduce his leadership ability places the entire House and its Members at the mercy of public ridicule.
He called on Plenary to mandate the second-in-command – Deputy Speaker Fallah to retract his statement publicly and subsequently investigate in so as to understand what motives led him to make such remarks on a public radio platform.
“This action is necessary to preserve the dignity, unity, and credibility of this august body,” Rep. Debee maintained in his communication to the House.
Erroneously Representation of the Speaker
Contrarily, Debee informed colleagues that these assertions by the Deputy Speaker are completely wrong portrayal of the Speaker, who he intoned, is
is a second-term legislator who has served on various committees, proposed several bills during the 54th Legislature, and even served as interim chair of the Executive Committee that successfully organized the inauguration of President Joseph N. Boakai in January 2024.
“Furthermore, in October 2024, a majority of Members of this House pledged their unflinching support to Speaker Koon’s leadership ability when they decided not to sit under the gavel of then Speaker Clir. J. Fonati Koffa-a revolution that Deputy Speaker Fallah himself endorsed and even led, resulting in Speaker Koon’s election,” Rep. Debee justified why he believes the Speaker is not a ‘learner’ as claimed by his deputy.
“Interestingly, both men served together in the 54th Legislature, and beyond his legislative service. Speaker Koon has held and continues to hold reputable positions in the Republic. ranging from being a lecturer in both the University of Liberia undergraduate and Master’s programs, to serving as controller of an international NGO. To speak of him in such a manner is disrespectful and demeaning, not just to the Speaker as a person but to the position itself and to us legislators whom he leads as first among equals,” the Grand Gedeh County District 3 lawmaker added.
Deputy Speaker Shielded?
Unlike in the case with other lawmakers who are subjected to investigation by the Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, a motion was suddenly proffered by Montserrado County District #7 Representative, Emmanuel Dahn, for Speaker Koon to use his discretion in the matter so that Leadership take siege of the matter rather than an investigation as craved for.
Speaker Koon made use of the matter of his gable and accepted the recommendation/motion by Rep. Dahn – a member of the ‘Majority Block’ that brought the Speaker to the helm of power of the House.
Decision Leads to Mixed Reactions
The decision resulted serious mixed reactions among lawmakers – with some expressing frustration over how the same gable is being used to render diverging decisions in matter of similar nature.
Rep. Debee, the proponent of the communication, for instance and Bomi County Electoral District 1 Representative, Sam P. Jallah, wer subjected to investigation for comments attributed to him for which the House said undermined its integrity.
Statement Made In ‘Good Faith’ – Fallah’s Apology
Following deliberation on the matter, Deputy Speaker Fallah, who was absent from session, took to Facebook to openly apologize to his boss and by extension members of the House of Representatives for his utterances, averring that they were made in good faith.
“I wish to state clearly that my comments on SpoonTalk regarding my friend, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, were made in good faith and without any intent to mislead, malign, or undermine. I hereby retract it and offer my sincere apology,”
“Speaker Koon and I share a longstanding personal relationship that predates our current roles in the Honorable House. I value that relationship deeply and have no intention of doing anything to jeopardize the mutual respect and camaraderie between us.”
