MONROVIA — Plenary, the highest decision-making body of the House of Representatives on Thursday took a decision to suspend Rep. Yekeh Kolubah for 30 Sitting Days (equivalent to almost four months) without pay for what it termed as Rep. Kolubah’s constant habit of raining insults at President George Weah.
However, Plenary’s decision was put on hold after a motion for reconsideration was filed by Rep. Acarous Moses Gray (CDC, Montserrado County Dist. #8), which will be decided upon when the body returns from its two-week Easter break in April, 2021.
The decision to vote in favor of Rep. Kolubah’s suspension was triggered by a communication written to plenary by Rep. Thomas Fallah (CDC, District #5, Montserrado Co.), asking the august body to take action against their colleague for his unruly behavior towards the President.
“At long last I have come to a cut-off point with my colleague, Hon. Yekeh Kolubah, Representative, District #10, Montserrado County regarding his constant, direct and deliberate egregious behavior being exhibited against the Liberian Presidency daily which I think this Plenary should no longer accept or condone as pleasant if we are to maintain sanctity and prestige into this sacred institution to showcase the integrity of its members,” Rep. Fallah wrote.
Speaking on the floor, he said his request is in no way a political witch hunt against the Montserrado District #10 lawmaker, but to call him to order and guide the sanctity and sanity of the House and ensure that the presidency is respected.
Citing several incidents, he called on his colleagues to take necessary action against the lawmaker in line with the House’s Rules and the Constitution of Liberia.
Rule 48.7 of the House states that “The House may, according to the circumstances and degree of breach, take the following measures: a. it may give an oral warning; b. it may give a written warning c. it may suspend a member for not more than 30 days of meeting, stop the payment of salary and allowances due him/her for the days of suspension, as the case may be; d. it may expel a member from the House where the breach is very serious or where it is committed repeatedly.”
Prior to his suspension hon. Kolubah was given the floor to make comment as relates to the allegations level against him but declined to speak.
Rep. Kolubah has been a staunch critic of President Weah and his CDC-led Government since 2018. He is often heard accusing the President and some members of his cabinet of being corrupt.
In plenary, he has been thrown out on several occasions for his outburst against the Speaker and the President. Owing to this, he has been constantly threatened by some lawmakers of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change including Rep. Fallah, the authored of the communication that triggered the vote to suspend him and Rep. Gray, who surprisingly asked plenary to reconsider its decision.
What Happens Next?
For now, Rep. Kolubah’s suspension has been paused until the House reconvenes from its Easter break two weeks from now, at which time Rep. Gray will then present his appeal in a written communication and the House will vote either to rescind its decision or uphold it.