Monrovia-The Supreme Court of Liberia has scheduled a hearing for March 14, in response to a Bill of Information filed by the embattled Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Fonati Koffa, against the self-styled Majority Bloc.
By Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
The case stems from the Majority Bloc’s alleged violations of the court’s December 6, 2024, ruling, and their refusal to comply with the court’s directives.
In his petition im December 2024, Speaker Koffa, with legal representation from Cllr. Arthur Johnson called on the Supreme Court to take corrective action following what he describes as a deliberate disregard of the ruling by the Majority Bloc.
The petition alleges that the Justice Minister and Attorney General of Liberia, Cllr. Oswald Tweh contributed to the violations by issuing a legal opinion on December 10 that misinterpreted the court’s final judgment.
According to Koffa’s legal team, Cllr. Tweh’s opinion, which falsely asserted that the actions and decisions of the Majority Bloc were lawful, further compounded the illegal procedures within the legislature.
The petition requested that the court declare the actions of Majority Bloc leaders, including Speaker Richard N. Koon and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, null and void.
Furthermore, Koffa and his allies are seeking to have all sessions, hearings, and decisions held by the Majority Bloc deemed a violation of the court’s ruling.
In response to the petition, the Supreme Court has ordered the Majority Bloc to file their official returns by March 14, 2025, to explain why the requests of Speaker Koffa and the informants should not be granted.
The court will hear arguments from both sides before deciding.
The legal battle between Speaker Koffa and the Majority Bloc has been a subject of intense political drama and scrutiny in Liberia’s 55th Legislature.
The case is particularly significant as it highlights the ongoing power struggle within the legislature, raising questions about governance, legality, and the respect for judicial rulings.
The hearing, which is scheduled to take place at 9:00 a.m. on March 14, will be closely watched by political observers and members of the public alike.
It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will rule on the matter, and whether this case will have broader implications for Liberia’s legislative and judicial systems.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the country awaits clarity on the future of the House of Representatives and the potential consequences of the Majority Bloc’s continued defiance of the court’s authority.