Published: November 23, 2024
MONROVIA – The Supreme Court has ordered the breakaway group of lawmakers at the House of Representatives to cease all actions and return to the status quo while it reviews Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa’s petition challenging his ouster.
The Court, in a writ issued on November 22, 2024, directed the Minister of Justice and members of the House of Representatives involved in the dispute to file their responses by November 26, 2024. It also ordered the majority bloc, led by Montserrado County Representative Richard Koon, to cease all further actions until the matter is resolved.
The leadership crisis deepened on November 21, when the majority bloc controversially convened in the joint chambers of the Legislature, declared the Speaker’s seat vacant, and elected Representative Koon as the new Speaker. The bloc cited dissatisfaction with Koffa’s leadership, accusing him of ignoring their concerns.
In a swift response, Speaker Koffa dismissed the actions of the majority bloc as unconstitutional and invalid. “Nothing has happened,” Koffa declared in a Facebook post, vowing to remain in office. His allies condemned the move, calling it a “mockery of democracy” and a blatant violation of constitutional and legislative norms.
Koffa’s legal team filed a petition with the Supreme Court on November 19, 2024, accusing the majority bloc, led by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, of deliberately boycotting plenary sessions to paralyze the House. The petition argues that the boycott violates Article 33 of the Constitution, which requires a quorum for legislative proceedings, including the passage of the 2025 National Budget.
“The respondents’ refusal to attend duly convened legislative sessions has impeded the House’s ability to perform its constitutional duties, including the enactment of the national budget,” the petition reads.
The petitioners requested the Supreme Court to compel the majority bloc to attend plenary sessions and to declare their actions unconstitutional. They further called for an en banc review by the full Bench, given the grave constitutional implications of the crisis.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers who initially supported the resolution to remove Koffa have rescinded their backing, presenting notarized affidavits to withdraw their signatures. These include Representatives Matthew Joe (Grand Bassa), Thomas Goshua (Grand Bassa), Priscilla Cooper (Montserrado), Bintu Massalay (Grand Cape Mount), Rugiyatu Barry (Montserrado), and Luther Collins (Gbarpolu).
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