Despite the Supreme Court urging the “majority bloc” of the House of Representatives, wanting to remove the Speaker, to invoke the House’s standing rules and accord the Speaker due process, the group has continued with its separate sessions in the Joint Chamber of the National Legislature and refused to return under the gavel of Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
On Monday, the Presiding Judge of the Supreme Court, Associate Justice Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay, held a conference meeting between Speaker Koffa’s bloc and the anti-Koffa bloc, and after hearing from lawyers representing both sides told the “majority bloc” to uphold the rule of law and abide by the Constitution of the Republic.
However, instead of honoring the court’s request, the lawmakers have elected to self-legitimize themselves, declare their sitting as plenary and invite heads of ministries and agencies. During their sitting, the lawmakers invited the Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, Mo Ali, and the Minister of Transport, Sirleaf Tyler, to appear during their next session.
Also in their defiance of the Supreme Court’s order, the “majority bloc” has summoned several representatives of the Koffa bloc to appear and give reasons for obstructing their legislative function. Unfortunately, some of the lawmakers summoned have termed the decision as laughable, and instructed their staffers not to sign for what they termed as “flying sheet” from “those people”.
In a legal advice to the “majority bloc”, the Political Leader of the Liberia People’s Party (LPP), Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, observed that the defiance of a Supreme Court ruling not only constitutes a violation of the Liberian Constitution but also undermines the fundamental principle of judicial supremacy.
Cllr. Gongloe said, “As members of the Legislature, your duty is to uphold the rule of law, which includes respecting final and binding decisions of the Supreme Court. Ignoring or defying such rulings may expose you to contempt of court charges, leading to potential sanctions, fines, or even imprisonment.”
According to him, the principle of separation of powers does not grant immunity from compliance with judicial decisions; rather, it underscores the obligation of each branch of government to respect the roles and rulings of the others. “In this case, your lawful recourse, if dissatisfied, would be through legislative amendments or motions, not defiance. We strongly urge adherence to the Supreme Court’s mandate to avoid legal consequences and uphold the integrity of your offices,” he noted.
In a related development, the Campaigners for Change led a protest on the Capitol on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 to demand the “majority bloc” to uphold the rule of law and stop holding the nation hostage by returning to session in the main chamber of the House of Representatives.
The protest however did not make much impact, as it appeared poorly organized, with a few persons, headed by Janjay Baikpeh, appearing at the Capitol very early, while the other minute group headed by Vandalark R. Patricks reached the Capitol Building during the afternoon hours.
The Hot Pepper could not ascertain whether or not the groups presented any petition to the lawmakers, but left the scene without entering the building. A few media outlets reported an infight among the protesters while they were sharing money allegedly given to stage the protest.