Majority Bloc House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon is expected to appear before the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia today, January 16, 2024, in response to a Writ for Declaratory Judgment filed by embattled House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
Koffa filed a 22-count petition for Declaratory Judgment before Judge George Smith of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia seeking clarity on legal issues to that would help both parties (Koffa and Richard Koon) avoid future disputes as members of the legislature.
A declaratory judgment is a court ruling that defines the legal relationship between parties and their rights in a dispute.
Based upon Rep. Koffa’s petition, Judge Smith has directed Koon to appear before him today, Thursday, January 16, 2025.
The Judge’s action comes in response to a petition filed by lawyers representing embattled Speaker Koffa, challenging the legitimacy of Koon’s election and calling for its annulment.
Koffa’s 22-count petition for declaratory judgment argued that Koon’s rise to the speaker’s chair violated established rules and constitutional provisions, terming it as unlawful and “ultra vires,” urging the court to nullify it on grounds of procedural irregularities.
At the heart of the dispute is a group within the House of Representatives, self-styled as the “Majority Block,” which Koffa’s legal team accused of orchestrating parallel sessions and creating legislative chaos.
He is calling on the court to rule on the legitimacy of such sessions and clarify whether Koon and his men align with the Constitution of Liberia and the Standing Rules of the House.
Also, Koffa’s lawyers requested an injunction to bar Koon from using the privileges associated with the office of the speaker, such as official license plates, sirens and police escorts.
His request highlights concerns over the optics and authority that Koon currently wields amidst the controversy surrounding his position. The case sticks to specific legal provisions, including Section 9.1 of the House’s Standing Rules and Chapter V, Article 31 of the Liberian Constitution.
According to Koffa, these rules stipulate the procedures for removing officials and require lawmakers to swear a constitutional oath before exercising their duties. Koffa’s lawyers alleged that these protocols were disregarded in Koon’s election, rendering the process fundamentally flawed.
The petition also seeks an alternative writ to halt alleged violations of Article 49 of the Constitution and other standing rules, arguing that these infractions have disrupted the House’s legislative operations. The lawyers claimed that these actions have undermined the integrity of the legislative body and require immediate judicial intervention to restore order. On December 12, 2024, a bail of information was filed by Koffa’s lawyers to the Supreme Court, but remains unresolved.
By T.Q. Lula Jaurey
