— But punishment deferred to next Tuesday
Finance Minister Boima Kamara has become the first cabinet minister to feel the wrath of the 55th Legislature since its inception mid-January this year, after being slammed with contempt charges by the House of Representatives.
Members of the House voted unanimously to reach this decision, which, in essence, indicates that Minister Kamara will be prosecuted.
Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted Thursday, June 27, to punish the Minister of Finance and Development Planning for his failure to appear before the August Body following a fourth citation sent to him to come and address issues relating to financial updates on consolidated accounts and bank balances, validate reports from the Liberia Revenue Authority on revenue collection and a loan which was borrowed by the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) in the tone of over US$9 million.
According to the House’s Rules and Procedures, the punishment for contempt can include a fine of up to US$5,000 or imprisonment for up to one month. The decisions made in contempt cases are not subject to appeal. The House of Representatives may also cast a “vote of no confidence” and recommend his suspension or dismissal to President Joseph N. Boakai.
Contempt is one of the Liberian lawmakers’ politically messiest and, until recent years, least-used powers. It is a tool that the House and the Senate can employ either to coerce compliance or to remove any obstruction from an ongoing investigation.
The House’s decision was triggered by another excuse from the Finance Minister after being warned and written to appear before the House’s Plenary to answer “why he shouldn’t be held in contempt.”
Minister Kamara has requested a deferment in a communication, owing to an engagement with the high-level IMF delegation that is in town up to July 5, 2024, to negotiate the Extended Credit Facility/New Country Program focusing on key fiscal, monetary, and economic issues.
Finance Minister Kamara wrote: “I present compliments and herein acknowledge receipt of your communication received June 25, 2024, inviting me before plenary on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at noon to show cause why I should not be held in contempt.
“Honorable Representatives, our request for deferment is due to the Government of Liberia’s engagement with the high-level IMF delegation that is in town up to July 5, 2024, to negotiate the Extended Credit Facility/New Country Program focusing on key fiscal, monetary, and economic issues.”
The Minister added: “Therefore, your esteemed Honorables, I appeal that you please honor our request to postpone the appearance to Thursday, July 11, 2024.”
Grand Bassa County District #5 Representative Thomas Goshua; Montserrado County District 4, 9, and 10 Representatives Michael Thomas, Frank Saah Foko, and Yekeh Kolubah, and other lawmakers said that the repeated refusal of Finance Minister Kamara to comply with the House’s citations is tantamount to contempt, which is obstructing legislative function as grounds for contempt.
The lawmakers voted for Minister Kamara to appear before the full Plenary on Tuesday, July 4 under contempt and sentencing for impeding the works of the House of Representatives.
Political pundits are wondering whether the fifth citation to the Minister will be honored. It also remains to be seen whether the House of Representatives will render its judgment (punishment) by default if the Minister again refuses to appear on grounds that he will only be available on Tuesday, July 11, 2024.
