THE MINISTER OF Justice, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, Tuesday appeared at the Ministry of Information and publicly declared that the President had asked him to give his opinion in the House’s matter. In his conclusion, Cllr. Tweh stated, “My reading of the Court’s opinion and the analysis made above dictate what constitutes a valid, legal and Constitutional plenary of the House of Representatives, as quoted in the court’s opinion, bring me to the conclusion that the majority members of the House of Representatives met the Constitutional requirements explicated by the court to hold session and take decisions consistent with the laws of the country and the rules of the House of Representatives.
“THEREFORE, I AM of the considered opinion, and the law supports my opinion, that the budgetary process can be legally carried out by the majority members provided they meet the same standards laid out by the Supreme Court’s opinion, forming an integral part of my opinion, and that any decision therefrom is Constitutional, legal and valid.”
IN ORDER TO solidify the Justice Minister’s opinion, the Liberian Senate, headed by Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, resolved to do business with the “majority bloc” of the House of Representatives. However, observers have criticized the decision of the Executive and the Liberian Senate to “misinterpret” the Supreme Court’s ruling to favor the “majority bloc” when, in fact, the court clearly stated that the sittings of the bloc were ultra vires.
REPRESENTATIVE MUSA HASSAN Bility, one of the lawmakers in defense of Koffa’s Speakership, has revealed that they may file a bill of information at the Supreme Court soon. He, too, said the decision by the Executive to side with the “majority block” in the House of Representatives is both disheartening and alarming for Liberia’s democracy. “It sets a dangerous precedent when the Executive Branch openly disregards the court’s ruling and aligns with what is widely perceived as an illegal gathering of lawmakers seeking to unseat Speaker J. Fonati Koffa,” he stated.
ACCORDING TO REPRESENTATIVE Bility, “Particularly troubling is the role of the Minister of Justice, who reportedly advised the President to approve this controversial move. Such advice not only undermines the independence of the Judiciary but also casts doubt on the minister’s professional judgment and the implications for his career going forward.”
BILITY HAS THEREFORE termed Minister Tweh’s interpretation as a threat to the principles of separation of powers and rule of law, upon which the nation’s democracy is built. “By ignoring the Supreme Court’s intervention, the Executive has opened the door to a chaotic and lawless political landscape. It sends a chilling message to Liberians and the international community that political expediency can override Constitutional order,” he noted.