Monrovia-Representative Edwin M. Snowe (Montserrado County District #6) on Monday failed to appear before the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives for a hearing along with House Speaker Alex J. Tyler in keeping with a mandate from the Supreme Court.
On June 13, 2016, Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard-Wolokollie wrote the House of Representatives, mandating them to address the concerns raised by Rep. Snowe against Speaker Tyler’s decision to maintain a quorum of lawmakers present in session on June 2, 2016 as the same number for the period June 2 to July 2, 2016.
The Supreme Court Justice after listening to the petition took the decision when the Montserrado County lawmaker made formal to the court his request for a writ of prohibition through his legal counsels Cllrs. Arthur Johnson and Swahilo Sesay.
In response to the court’s communication, the plenary of the House requested its Judiciary Committee on June 16 to investigate and report in a week.
In keeping with its mandate, the committee, chaired by the Bomi County Lawmaker, Gayah Karmo, wrote the two parties (Tyler and Snowe) inviting them for a hearing on Monday June 20, 2016.
Bill of Information Filed
Speaker Tyler showed up for the hearing but Representative Snowe did not. When contacted, Representative Snowe, in a mobile interview said he did not show up because the House of Representatives was given an ultimatum of 72 hours and the ultimatum had expired and because of that he could not show up.
“I cannot appear for a hearing when the ultimatum given has expired and as a matter of fact, I did not recognize the session that was held Thursday so I have filed a Bill of Information to the court, informing them that their order has been disrespected,” Rep. Snowe said.
Representative Snowe’s lawyers indicated in the petition that on June 2, 2016, a motion was made to the effect that the number and the members present at that sitting would constitute a quorum for one month that is from June 2, 2016 to July 2, 2016.
Citing Article 33 of the Constitution, the lawyers also indicated that a simple majority of each House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business but a lower number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members, whenever the House of Representatives and the Senate shall meet in joint session, the presiding officer of the House of Representatives shall preside.
The petitioner also said that accordingly no roll call would be in effect from June 2, 2016 to July 2, 2016 therefore making the presence or absence of a member of the House of Representatives meaningless.
“Your honor there are 73 lawmakers currently in the House of Representatives and less than 37 were in session therefore if this decision for roll call remains in force, that means that the constituencies of the affected lawmakers voices will not be heard,” said Cllr. Arthur Johnson who prayed the Associate Justice to issue a writ of prohibition against the respondent and restrain him from pursuing any action to the decision.
Writ of prohibition
FrontPageAfrica gathered late Monday evening that the Supreme Court of Liberia has issued a writ of prohibition against the House of Representatives from further proceeding with conduct of session under the quorum of June 2, 2016.
Henry Karmo (0886522495) [email protected]