Monrovia-Succeeding and unrelenting inquests by the Liberia National Police (LNP) into the alleged conducts of two Speakers of the House of Representatives on two different unrelated issues has raised public concerns and heightened the issue of accountability and transparency.
Though not yet found guilty of wrongdoings, the inquests, coming after one another, are said to be having significant taints not only on the integrity and political lives of two Speakers, but also on the standing of the First Branch of Government.
While former House Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa is being prosecuted in relation to the December 18, 2024 arson attack on the Capitol Building, his Successor, Mr. Richard N. Koon is also facing police interrogation in relation to the mysterious deaths of two ranking staffers of the House of Representatives.
Speaker Koon is being invited by the LNP to aid investigation into the deaths of Deputy Chief Clerk C. Cormick Chea and Brigadier General Martin Tijani Johnson.
According to a release issued by the House Press Bureau, Speaker is being considered as Person of Interest (POI), and the conference is slated for June 17, 2025.
Ahead of the conference, Speaker Koon is already shaking off dust of responsibility, as he has reiterated “his innocence in the deaths,” pledging to “work closely with the LNP to bring this matter to its full conclusion.”
According to the release, Speaker Koon has requested for extension of the time for the conference or be represented by his lawyer due to national and international commitments the release did not spell out.
“The House of Representatives urges the public to refrain from politicizing these tragic deaths and instead join the families and loved ones during this difficult time,” the release read.
How these two issues- Capitol Building Arson and mysterious deaths- two which both former Speaker Koffa and current Speaker Koon are brought to public spectacles is anyone’s guess, but what is clear is that they have become a woe that will hunt them even if cleared of culpability.
