Editor’s Note: As an editorial decision, The Liberian Investigator will refer to Hon. Richard Koon as Speaker of the Majority Bloc and Hon. Fonati Koffa as the embattled Speaker, pending the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Bill of Information.
MONROVIA – After openly challenging the legitimacy of Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon—derisively calling him an “orangutan Speaker”—Representative Taa Wongbe of Nimba County, District 9, made an about-face on Thursday by attending the majority bloc’s session. His unexpected appearance came just days after the bloc removed him from the ECOWAS Parliament and amid discussions about expelling him and other lawmakers for absenteeism.
Last week, Wongbe took to Facebook in a fiery post, vowing to challenge Koon’s leadership. He wrote that if he, a freshman lawmaker, could challenge a “legitimate Speaker” whom he had helped bring to power, then it was only a matter of time before he confronted an “illegal orangutan Speaker.” He warned that once he concluded his district activities, he would turn his attention to the Koon.
Despite his strong rhetoric, the majority bloc went ahead with elections on Tuesday, selecting Representatives Moima Briggs Mensah of Bong County, Augustine Chiewolo of Lofa County, and Samon Q. Wiah of Sinoe County to replace Wongbe and Rev. Samuel Enders in the ECOWAS Parliament. The two lawmakers had been appointed under the previous leadership of embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa.
At the same time, Gbarpolu County District 2 Representative Luther S. Collins, who had been staying away from the majority bloc’s sessions, was also present during Thursday’s deliberations.
Margibi County District 2 Representative Ivar Jones had already filed a motion for plenary to invoke Rule 48.7, which outlines disciplinary measures for lawmakers who consistently fail to attend sessions. The bloc’s plenary has since instructed the Chief Clerk to officially notify the defaulting lawmakers, requiring them to justify their absences or face penalties.
Embattled Grand Kru District 2 Representative Cllr. Fonati Koffa and embattled Speaker of the House is on the list for expulsion by the majority bloc. He is said to have missed eightsessions. Koffa previoulsy said he would not sit under the gavel of an “illegitimate Speaker”, citing the Supreme Court’s December 6 ruling which described the actions of members of the House as “ultra vires”.
Nimba District 7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility has been absent for six session days while attending only two. Wongbe himself has also missed eight session days, putting him among the most frequent absentees.
Margibi District 1 Representative Roland Opee Cooper has a similar record, with six absences and only two days present. Gbarpolu District 2 Representative Luther S. Collins had been absent for five session days while attending three.
Under Rule 48.7, penalties range from a written warning to suspension for up to 30 legislative days without salary or benefits, with outright expulsion possible for repeated violations.
Meanwhile, The removal of Wongbe and his colleagues from the ECOWAS Parliament remains controversial with critics questioning the legality of the decision.
The ECOWAS Parliamentary Act states that a representative’s mandate lasts four years, as stipulated in Article 18 (2) (a) of the Supplementary Act. It further states that a representative who has taken the oath shall remain in office and cannot be replaced or dismissed as long as they remain a member of their National Parliament.
Given these provisions, some observers argue that the House’s decision to withdraw its representatives from the regional body may be in direct violation of ECOWAS protocols.
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