Monrovia, Liberia – Despite a decision by the Supreme Court, the Constitution’s appointed ultimate arbiter of justice, the impasse in the House of Representatives is anticipated to continue.
The Supreme Court decided on Friday that legislative activities or sessions that do not conform to the spirit of Articles 33 and 49 of the Liberian Constitution are extra vires.
The Court did stress that although it can decide constitutional disputes, it cannot force remedies that belong in the purview of the Legislature. In particular, the Court noted that one of the main obstacles to reaching a quorum is the absence of legislative means to force absent lawmakers to attend sessions. This essentially makes Speaker Koffa’s capacity to lead dependent on the Majority Bloc’s collaboration, which Despite a decision by the Supreme Court, the Constitution’s appointed ultimate arbiter of justice, the impasse in the House of Representatives is anticipated to continue.
The Supreme Court decided on Friday that legislative activities or sessions that do not conform to the spirit of Articles 33 and 49 of the Liberian Constitution are extra vires.
The Court did stress that although it can decide constitutional disputes, it cannot force remedies that belong in the purview of the Legislature. In particular, the Court noted that one of the main obstacles to reaching a quorum is the absence of legislative means to force absent lawmakers to attend sessions. This essentially makes Speaker Koffa’s capacity to lead dependent on the Majority Bloc’s collaboration, which maintains considerable influence by refusing to take part.
In light of the aforementioned, the Court ruled that any legislative activities or sessions that do not align with the intent of Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution are extra vires. Members of the House of Representatives are therefore expected to act appropriately. The parties must be notified by the court’s clerk.
The decision was the result of a petition that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and his supporters filed contesting the Majority Bloc’s conduct as unconstitutional. Citing Speaker Koffa’s alleged corruption and conflicts of interest, which Koffa denies, the Majority Bloc started holding parallel sessions in the Joint Chambers after failing to get the two-thirds majority required to oust him in October.
In addition to attempting to have an illegal plenary session called without his attendance revoked, Speaker Koffa also tried to have three lawmakers suspended without due process: Edward Flomo (District #13, Montserrado), Abu Bana Kamara (District #15, Montserrado), and Marvin Cole (District #3, Bong). He further asked the Court to rule that the seizure of the 2025 Draft National Budget and the reorganization of House committees were unlawful.
Speaker Koffa and his supporters rejoiced after the decision, calling on colleagues to get back to their regular parliamentary work.
