Published: February 3, 2025
MONROVIA – Embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has urged the House Majority Bloc to continue their “illegal takeover” of his office, daring them in a fiery letter to Chief Clerk Mildred Sayon to seize it “the same way they obtained the Speakership—illegally and with the force of the executive.”
The House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration alleged that Koffa had refused to turn over the office to the newly elected Speaker of the majority bloc, Richard Koon.
According to the committee, Koffa’s actions have obstructed the smooth transition of power and hindered critical administrative functions.
In his letter, Cllr. Koffa dismissed a communication allegedly sent by Chief Clerk Sayon, which informed him of the plenary’s decision to remove him from the office. He described the letter as an unlawful act and accused the Majority Bloc of usurping the authority of elected representatives. “Your letter, purporting to obtain instructions from the plenary, is an unlawful usurpation of the function and authority of the people’s elected representatives,” Koffa wrote.
He continued: “Please inform those who instructed you to write such a letter that they should obtain office in the same manner as they obtained the speakership – illegally and with the force of the executive. I believe, according to the so-called committee report, the Minister of Justice outlined a pathway to complete the illegal act. I will not respond to anyone further on this issue.”
The House Committee on Rules, Orders, and Administration said it had documented multiple efforts to resolve the standoff, including formal communications requesting Koffa to vacate the office and remove his belongings. The Justice Minister, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, was also consulted and initially suggested state security involvement. However, he later advised a five-day ultimatum for Koffa to comply, recommending that if Koffa failed to vacate, his belongings should be removed in the presence of media and civil society representatives.
Despite these measures, Koffa has not complied with the ultimatum and has reportedly left for the United States.
In its latest session, the House plenary deferred a decision on the committee’s recommendations to Tuesday, February 4, 2025, giving members more time to deliberate on the issue. Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, who was elected under controversial circumstances, has yet to assume full control of the office.
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