Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Members of the Liberian Senate have unanimously resolved to uphold the opinion of Justice Minister Oswald Tweh in the ongoing impasse at the House of Representatives.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Amongst other things, Minister Tweh told the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism regular press briefing Tuesday the majority bloc of the House of Representatives has the constitutional authority to conduct business on behalf of the House of Representatives.
According to him, the sitting of the majority bloc does not contravene any provisions of the Liberian Constitution.
Minister Tweh’s opinion reportedly stemmed from a mandate from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to clarify the controversial Supreme Court ruling in the case filed to the court against the majority bloc by embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa.
The High Court ruling in the matter has been characterized with mixed interpretations from legal experts and ordinary citizens.
Speaking during the regular session, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence announced that Senators have voted to uphold the opinion of the Justice Minister.
According to her, the decision was taken following the climax of a consultative meeting held at the Capitol Building in Monrovia.
The Capitol Building is the official seat of the National Legislature.
Few other Senators including Nathaniel McGill of Margibi County are not in support of the decision taken by majority of their colleagues to recognize and do business with the majority bloc of the House of Representatives.
The Senate earlier took a decision not to do business with the Pro-Koffa Group and Majority Bloc at the House of Representatives.
However, the body’s latest action to uphold the Justice Minister’s opinion on the matter clearly shows that it would do legislative transactions with the majority bloc especially on the finalization and passage of the 2025 draft budget that is currently before the majority bloc.
Since October this year, over 40 members of the House of Representatives calling themselves majority bloc have been holding separate sessions at the Joint Chamber of the Capitol Building, accusing embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa of alleged corruption, conflict of interest and nepotism, amongst others. Koffa denied these allegations.
They have also elected Montserrado County Representative Richard Koon as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives.
