The rebel lawmakers have largely succeeded in crippling legislative functions through their conduct of separate meetings, while those backing Koffa’s leadership lack a quorum to proceed.
By Lincoln G. Peters
October 28, 2024: Liberia’s Supreme Court Chamber Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., has placed a stay order on all further proceedings by opposing lawmakers seeking the removal of embattled House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
However, sources close to the opposing lawmakers say they have resolved not to honor the mandate of the Justice in Chambers. There are claims that the lawmakers’ move is being backed by Vice President Jeremiah Koung, Sen. Emmanuel Nuquay, and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, who has been caught between the scissors in the ongoing speaker removal saga.
Speaker Fonati Koffa
Over the last few weeks, legislative sessions at the House of Representatives have been disrupted by the majority bloc of the Representatives opposing Speaker Koffa’s leadership.
The opposing lawmakers have largely succeeded in crippling legislative functions through their conduct of separate meetings, while those backing Koffa’s leadership lack a quorum to proceed.
The majority bloc has more than 40 lawmakers, while Speaker Koffa’s bloc has about 30. He needs 37 representatives to conduct sessions.
Koffa is seeking the court’s intervention as his rivals have refused to recognize his leadership.
Last, the embattled Speaker filed a writ of Mandamus before the superior court to compel opposing lawmakers to attend sessions.
Associate Justice Gbeisay mandated the Clerk of the Supreme Court on October 25, 2024, to inform Samuel G. Kogar, the head and acting chairperson of the Majority Bloc, to halt all group activities.
The Chamber Justice’s decision followed Speaker Koffa’s petition for a prohibition against the majority bloc.
“By directive of His Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr, Associate Justice presiding in Chambers, you are hereby cited to a conference with His Honor on Monday, November 4, 2024, at the hour of 10:00 am., in connection with the above-captioned case,” the court said.
Meanwhile, the court has ordered a stay on all further proceedings and/or actions in the matter pending the conference’s outcome.
Recently, embattled Speaker Koffa vowed to go to the Supreme Court of Liberia after failing to meet a quorum for the third consecutive sitting at the House of Representatives.
Koffa’s supporters continue to rally for his survival, while the majority bloc accuses him of mismanagement and corruption.
Lawmakers in group photo
Notwithstanding, there are suggestions in the public that Speaker Koffa’s quest to ensure change at the House by calling for its audit to promote transparency is partly responsible for most of his colleagues turning against him.
Efforts to fight corruption in Liberia continue to meet resistance, and little is achieved.
But over the decades, the Legislature has shielded itself from audits. Any effort to break this notorious tradition requires legal backing and political will.
As both sides prepare for a crucial showdown on Tuesday, all eyes are on the Supreme Court to see if it will intervene to compel the absent lawmakers to return and resolve the standoff.
