MONROVIA – A fresh wave of tension has gripped the Legislature as it reconvenes on Tuesday. Thirty members of the House of Representatives, now rallying under the banner of a “Rule of Law Caucus,” are set to oppose Richard Koon’s speakership. The Liberian Investigator has learned that the 30 dissenting lawmakers, defying the 43-member majority bloc led by Koon, have vowed to restore what they call “constitutional order” as their primary mission.
Over the weekend, the dissenting lawmakers convened and elected Representative Musa Bility (Nimba, District 7) as leader of their caucus, previously known as the “Minority/Koffa Bloc.” The group is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday to address several contentious issues, including the passage of the Draft 2025 National Budget under Koon’s leadership on December 20, 2024, which was later concurred by the Liberian Senate. “We all saw how the budget was passed. You must be kidding to handle a national budget like that—no due diligence, no proper scrutiny, and some line agencies weren’t even called to defend their budgets,” said a member of the Rule of Law Caucus, who requested anonymity.
The lawmaker added, “We also have a major decision that could impact the President’s State of the Nation Address. We expect the President to resolve this crisis before his address. We’ve given him a road map—it’s in his hands—and he can resolve this crisis by following it. Otherwise, we’ll take major action.”
The House has been mired in a leadership crisis since mid-October 2024, when a group of lawmakers attempted to remove then-Speaker Fonati Koffa, citing a conflict of interest. They alleged that Koffa’s law firm represents several government and private entities under the House’s oversight. Additionally, they accused him of overspending his 2023 office budget by $3 million. Koffa, however, denied the allegations, claiming his colleagues were misinformed and acting in bad faith. He further alleged that his removal was retaliation for his call for an audit of the House, which, he suggested, might implicate several high-ranking lawmakers.
The crisis deepened with allegations of bribery, with reports that lawmakers were offered up to $20,000 to support Koffa’s removal. Though vehemently denied, leaked audio recordings fueled public skepticism. On November 21, 2024, the anti-Koffa lawmakers—now a majority—declared Representative Richard Koon as the new Speaker. However, this move bypassed the constitutional and procedural requirements for removing a sitting Speaker, further escalating the conflict.
The embattled Speaker, Fonati Koffa, filed a case with the Supreme Court, challenging both his removal and the sessions chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah. The Court’s ruling, however, failed to provide clarity, with both factions claiming victory. While the Court ruled that any actions not aligned with Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution are ultra vires, it stopped short of declaring the legitimacy of either side. Adding to the confusion, the Minister of Justice, who also serves as Attorney General, interpreted the Court’s ruling as recognizing Richard Koon as Speaker. The government subsequently aligned with Koon’s leadership, directing all official business through him. The Liberian Senate also acknowledged Koon’s leadership, a decision that sparked criticism. Senators Augustine Chea (Sinoe County) and Amara Konneh (Gbarpolu County) labeled the Senate as an “extension of the Executive,” reflecting their discontent with the decision.
In his first statement since his election as leader of the Rule of Law Caucus, Musa Bility expressed both gratitude and a vision for resolving the impasse. “Yesterday, I was deeply honored to be unanimously elected as the head of the 28-member block in the House of Representatives, based on the recommendation of Speaker Fonati Koffa. This decision, taken by my colleagues who chose to stand by the law, is a profound moment for me, my family, and my district. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues for trusting me to lead during this crucial time in our nation’s history.”
He continued, “The challenges before us as leaders of this country are immense, and the leadership of the House of Representatives is facing significant trials. I am fully aware of the burden placed on me by this responsibility, and I embrace it with commitment and resolve. My focus will be to restore normalcy to the House and ensure that every representative can carry out their constitutional duty to represent their people effectively.”
Bility also extended an olive branch to his opponents in the House, urging all members to reflect on the crisis’s impact on governance. “While it is true that we, the 28 members, have not been able to attain quorum to conduct regular legislative business, our colleagues, on the other hand, have also been unable to secure the requisite number of members needed to remove the Speaker or reconstitute committees legally. These actions have been taken without fulfilling the proper legal requirements. The inability of both blocks to legally function should serve as a catalyst to unite us.”
Calling on all members to prioritize national interests over personal gains, Bility warned of the consequences of prolonged division. “Our primary oversight responsibility has been the most significant casualty during this crisis. The executive branch has operated without checks and balances for three months, leaving our people vulnerable. It is time to return to work, resolve our differences, and restore the integrity of this honorable body.”
He urged the President and the Executive to engage sincerely in resolving the crisis. “A crisis in one branch of government weakens the entire system. The people of Liberia deserve a government that works in harmony to address their needs and move the country forward. My colleagues have entrusted me with the task of ending this impasse. I pledge to work tirelessly to find a solution without compromising the rule of law. But I cannot do it alone. I ask for your cooperation, patriotism, and love for our country. Let us restore democracy, normalcy, and the people’s confidence in their government.”nt with the decision.
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