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The grounds of the Capitol Building were a dramatic scene early Thursday morning, October 17, 2024, when Lawmakers turned up to sign a resolution to remove Speaker Fonati Koffa. Of the 73 Representatives, 47 appended their signatures to the resolution. The protest was interrupted by other lawmakers who supported retaining Koffa as Speaker for the 55th National Legislature.
The tension led to a brawl between Representatives supporting both blocs, which even damaged the doors of the main chamber of the House of Representatives.
The issue attracted considerable attention and comments from Liberians. Still, it took a dramatic twist when a blog (Shine Liberia) posted on its Facebook page that Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung had bribed lawmakers to remove Speaker Fonati Koffa.
The blog stated: “Deputy Thomas Fallah and VP Jeremiah Koung are the persons dishing out 25k each to lawmakers to remove Speaker Koffa.”
The post generated 79 reactions, 20 comments, and two shares. In the comments, Liberians had mixed reactions to Shine Liberia’s claim which was also posted by other blogs like Yekeh Kolubah.
Given the level of public interest and the accusation of bribery, DUBAWA decided to provide an in-depth report on the matter. Below are comments from the public sharing different perspectives on the matter.
Screenshot of comments
Bribery Admission
As if the bribery claims on Shine Liberia were not enough, a few hours after the high tension at the Legislature, Bana FM/TV (a media outlet) posted a video of Gbarpolu District#2 Representative, Luther Collins, who claimed that Collins was bribed by other Lawmakers to unseat Speaker Koffa. In his statement, Rep. Collins accused Rep. James Kolleh of Bong County of being the frontline for recruitment in the anti-Koffa camp.
According to Rep. Collins, lawmakers were bribed with $25k to unseat the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Gbarpolu lawmaker, showcasing a bundle of cash in the video, said they had been given $15k as the first payment of the $25k and expected to receive the balance of $10k after their mission is completed. The video can be found here.
Ex-President George Weah waded into the controversy by issuing a statement accusing the Unity Party government of being the brains behind the bribery. Mr Weah described the situation as an act that could undermine the country’s peace and democracy. He alleged that the funds being paid to unseat Speaker Koffa were taken from the national budget to influence the process.
“It has come to my attention that the Unity Party-led government under President Joseph Boakai is making a concerted and criminal effort to undermine our democratic and constitutional institutions by using ill-gotten funds from the National Coffers to influence the unjust removal of Speaker of the House, Honourable J. Fonati Koffa.
“This blatant act of political chicanery threatens the integrity of our constitutional legislative process and sets a dangerous precedent for governance in our beloved nation. I want to make it unequivocally clear such actions will not be tolerated. The attempt to manipulate the legislative branch for partisan gain is a direct affront to the principles of democracy and the will of the people,” the release said.
The ex-president further cautioned members of his party to refrain from plotting against a party member. He expressed that their participation in such a plot would betray their constituents’ trust and carry dire future political consequences.
“To the members of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) legislative caucus, I warn and urge you to stand firmly against this insidious plot. Do not allow yourselves to be swayed by pecuniary gains and the siren song of those who seek to destabilise our governance process for their own selfish interests. Participation in this scheme will not only betray the trust of your constituents but will also carry dire significant political consequences for your future within our party and in the eyes of the Liberian people,” he added.
Government response
Through the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism, the Government of Liberia also released a statement distancing itself from the plot against the removal of Speaker Koffa. The Government described the act as preposterous, disgraceful, and unfounded accusations by the leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Mr George Weah. Instead, the ministry pointed accusing fingers at Mr Weah for the bribery.
“The Unity Party-led Government, headed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr, categorically rejects link to [a] plot on Capitol Hill to remove House Speaker, Honorable J. Fonati Koffa. We believe that the purported plot to remove Speaker Koffa from his leadership role looks more like an internal power struggle within the CDC orchestrated by Mr Weah. This is why Mr Weah has quickly deflected attention from himself to the Boakai-led Government.
“Mr Weah is noted for fighting proxy battles against prominent leaders within the CDC to cement himself as the party’s demigod rather than allow others to gain political prominence.
“It is our thinking that Mr Koffa’s confident leadership style scares Mr Weah and that the emergence of other principled leaders within the CDC that will take away complete allegiance from the former President always faces such challenge,” said Acting Information Minister Daniel Sando.
Screenshot of the release below
Status of Speaker Koffa
The decision to impeach the Speaker, which led to feisty exchanges, has landed at the Supreme Court, the highest decision-making body in Liberia. But what does the law say about impeachment? The constitution calls for a 2/3rd of lawmakers, 49, for the resolution to be deemed competent. However, the anti-bloc votes succeeded in only getting 43, six votes shy of the maximum number required to impeach the speaker. The case is currently before the Supreme Court for adjudication.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission released a statement on October 21, 2024, acknowledging complaints of bribery at the House of Representatives that influenced Speaker Koffa’s removal. LACC further indicated its awareness about funds of $750k being made available through two government entities: the Ministry of Transport and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation.
The Anti-Corruption Institution assured the public about launching an investigation into the matter.
“The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has been made aware of serious allegations regarding the involvement of certain members of the House of Representatives in acts of bribery aimed at influencing the removal of the Speaker of “the House. The LACC is also aware of sources of funding in the total amount of US$750,000.00 (Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand United States Dollars), which was allegedly made available to the Lawmakers through the accounts of the Ministry of Transport and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) respectively.
“The Commission added that the LACC has received complaints from several stakeholders calling for an investigation into these allegations. These allegations, if proven true, represent a grave threat to the integrity of Liberia’s legislative processes and the principles of democratic governance. Bribery and corruption in any form undermine public confidence in elected institutions and disrupt the rule of law.”
Conclusion
Based on the claims and counterclaims, the actual source of funds fueling Speaker Koffa’s removal is unclear. We cannot conclude that Deputy Speaker and VP Koung are the masterminds behind it.
