–Describes Justice Gbeisay’s Interpretation “Liquor Talk”
The “minority bloc” of the 55th House of Representatives in support of Cllr. Fonati Koffa’s Speakership has resolved to no longer sit under the leadership of “majority bloc” Speaker, Richard Koon, for being in defiance of the Supreme Court’s ruling, which was recently interpreted by the Justice in Chambers, His Honor Judge Yamie Quiqui.
In a statement issued Thursday, February 13, 2025 and read by the leader of the Rule of Law Caucus, Representative Musa Hassan Bility, the 28 lawmakers loyal to Koffa’s leadership said the “majority bloc’s” persistent disregard for the Supreme Court endangers the survivability of the country, undermines the governance system, and threatens both national and international confidence in public institutions. “This continued defiance puts at risk the integrity of our democracy, the stability of our economy, and the trust of the Liberian people and our international partners,” the Rule of Law Caucus said.
They described the sittings of the “majority bloc” as illegal, relying on Associate Justice Gbeisay’s recent interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the House impasse.
They observed that the on-going crisis at the House of Representatives is not merely a political dispute—it is a direct challenge to the foundation of the nation’s democracy and the rule of law. They emphasized that a nation that does not respect its Supreme Court risks descending into lawlessness and instability. They vowed that they will not stand idly by as the democratic principles that govern the country are disregarded for personal or political gain.
The Rule of Law Caucus reaffirmed their commitment to peace and to upholding the rule of law, and asserted that they will not be intimidated or surrender to any group seeking to hijack democracy. “The Liberian people deserve better, and we remain steadfast in ensuring that justice, democracy, and Constitutional governance prevail,” they maintained.
They called on their colleagues (“majority bloc”) to respect the decision of the Supreme Court and to work with them toward a resolution that is consistent with the rule of law. “As of today, we have resolved that we will no longer sit under their leadership, as the court has declared their actions unlawful. Instead, we will continue to work with Speaker Koffa and convene with him as necessary, in accordance with Article 33 of the Constitution, which allows us to meet and adjourn in the absence of a quorum. We will maintain this position until our colleagues recognize the authority of the Supreme Court and until the Executive ceases its support for their unconstitutional actions,” the caucus observed.
The “minority bloc” further called on the Liberian Senate to honor and respect the Constitution by ceasing all business with the body that has been declared illegal by the Supreme Court. “We also urge the international community, including ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), and the government of the United States to refrain from engaging with them,” they added.
It can be recalled that the Justice in Chambers, Gbeisay, during the opening of the February term of court on Monday, February 10, 2025, clarified that the sittings of the “majority bloc” is without a legitimate Speaker, thus their sittings were ultra vires, which in simple terms means illegal. He made the clarification while justifying the Supreme Court bench’s absence from President Joseph Boakai’s State-of-the-Nation Address.
However, Bong County’s district #7 Representative, Foday E. Fahnbulleh, has insolently described Associate Gbeisay’s clarification as a “liquor statement”.
Responding to the Associate Justice’s statement while in session on Thursday at the Centennial Pavilion, Representative Fahnbulleh said, “We will not give credence to the liquor statement from the Associate Justice Yormie Gbeisay.”
His assertion has been described as an insult to the entire bench of the Supreme Court. An observer noted that this is the first time for the opinion of an Associate Justice to be described as “liquor talk” by a lawmaker who expects the Judiciary to function independently void of political interference. The observer wondered how Representative Fahnbulleh expects to be honored and respected by the people when he cannot even respect his fellow official of government.