Monrovia – The Justice in Chambers on the Supreme Court of Liberia has referred to as on Minister of Finance Augustine Nganfuan and House Comptroller Emmanuel Kopi to answer a petition filed by suspended lawmakers whose salaries have been on maintain since October 2024.
By Willie N. Tokpah/0777039231
The petition, submitted by lawmakers Abu Kamara (CDC, District 15, Montserrado), Marvin Cole (District 3, Bong), Frank Saah FoKo (District 9, Montserrado), Edward Papee Flomo (District 13, Montserrado), Alex Sunnyboy Noah (District 3, Sinoe), and Eugene Kollie (District 5, Bong), contends that the actions of the Majority Bloc—led by Speaker Richard Koon—in suspending them and withholding their pay violate each the Liberian Constitution and current monetary administration legal guidelines.
According to the petition, the suspended legislators have been duly elected by their respective constituencies and sworn into workplace in January 2024. The lawmakers argue that their suspension was extremely vires, exceeding the authorized authority of the Majority Bloc, significantly provided that the bloc’s choices have been made within the absence of the constitutionally elected Speaker, Fonati Koffa.
The petitioners cite a previous Supreme Court ruling affirming that any actions taken by the Majority Bloc underneath these circumstances are invalid. Despite this ruling, the Minister of Finance and the Comptroller haven’t launched the withheld salaries—a failure the petitioners describe as a breach of each constitutional and statutory rights.
“The withholding of our salaries is a blatant violation of the constitutional principles that guarantee due process and fairness. It undermines the financial integrity of our government and breaches our legal entitlements as elected officials,” the petition states.
Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbessay, talking just lately in Sanniquellie, emphasised that every one actions taken by the Majority Bloc—together with the suspension of lawmakers and the election of a brand new speaker—are unlawful with out the participation of the constitutionally elected Speaker. His feedback have additional emboldened the minority bloc in its efforts to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The Minister of Finance and the Comptroller are anticipated to file their response to the lawsuit by March 10, 2025, outlining why the writ of mandamus shouldn’t be enforced. Their submissions will probably be reviewed on the deserves earlier than a remaining dedication is made.
The end result of this case is poised to have vital implications for Liberia’s governance and constitutional order, amid an ongoing energy battle throughout the House of Representatives.