In a landmark ruling that quells months of legislative uncertainty, the Supreme Court of Liberia has declared Representative J. Fonati Koffa the legitimate Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature.
The decision, handed down in a Bill of Information on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 reinforces the Court’s previous position and nullifies any counteractions by the Majority Bloc.
The full bench, comprising Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh and four associate justices, ruled in favor of Speaker Koffa, with Justice Yamie Gbesiay being the lone dissenter.
Legal analysts say this decision makes any moves by the rival Majority Bloc unconstitutional, emphasizing that legislative procedures must now proceed under Koffa’s leadership.
However, in a moving response released shortly after the ruling, Speaker Koffa called for unity and reconciliation: “The Supreme Court has reaffirmed and upheld the rule of law. We welcome that ruling and thank the Liberian people, our colleagues, and most importantly, God.”
He expressed gratitude to those who stood by him during the six-month political storm, saluting his colleagues for risking their political and financial standings in defense of democracy.
Koffa also extended an olive branch to his opponents, saying, “Come, let us reason together. I will reach out to Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Hon. Richard Koon so we can establish a joint reconciliation and transitional committee.”
The Speaker concluded by reaffirming his willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of national unity and democratic progress.
Stay tuned for more details as the Capitol begins what many hope is a new chapter of collaboration and constitutionality.
During the Court’s opinion three Associate Justices including the Chief Justice granted Koffa Bill of information.
Reading the mandate on behalf of the three Associate Justices, Chief Justice Yuoh said the Bill of Information is granted and the majority Bloc hereby mandated to operate in accordance with the Supreme Court interpretation of Articles 33 and 49, of the Constitution as contained in the court’s opinion of December 6, 2024, and further clarified in this opinion.
Chief Justice Yuoh stated that the Minister of Justice seems to be at variance with respect to what constitutes their opinion of December 6, 2024, and advanced their own personal interpretation of what the law is, noting that it is necessary for the purpose of constitutional clarity and respect for the rule of law to grant the Bill of Information and in so far as it relates to the parties.
The Chief Justice said during the argument of the amended Bill of Information, one of the lawyers for Koffa strenuously argued that the Majority Bloc violated the mandate of the court by commission of actions enumerated in the amended Bill of Information and therefore Koffa lawyer prayed that the court enforces its mandate contained in the December 6, 2024 opinion in the repetition.
She narrated that when he was asked to say what the mandate this court was in the repetition, he answered that the mandate is encapsulated in concluding paragraph of their opinion which reads as follows, “wherefore any sitting or actions by members of the legislature not in conformity with intent of Articles 33 and 49, of the Constitution are ultra vires.”
Chief Justice Yuoh further said the lawyer for the Majority Bloc also relying on their opinion, argued that they did not violate the Supreme Court and said the court be definitive and exact in its disposition of the amended Bill of Information so that its ruling of December 6, 2025 will not be susceptible to more than one interpretation.
She also explained that the Majority Bloc lawyers was questioned by the court as to the whereabouts of Speaker Koffa at the time Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah was acting as the presiding officer during the parallel plenary session in the joint chambers of the legislature, he responded there to and said Koffa was in another room within the confines of the legislature.
Chief Justice Yuoh further stated that the lawyer response raises the cardinal question of whether the Deputy Speaker or any other Representatives could legally act as presiding officer for a plenary session of the House of Representatives in the wake of the Speaker being present and available to perform his constitutionally delegated task?
The Chief Justice indicated that they stated an emphatic No! Speaker Koffa not being absent to preside over plenary session, the Deputy Speaker or any Representative for that matter could not legally preside over any plenary session, even if said session met the simple majority criteria for the transaction of business and no action therefore can be considered by the court as constitutional.
Chief Justice Yuoh noted that any action or sitting by the majority to the exclusion of the Speaker presiding while he is present and available to preside, is unconstitutional and without the pale of the law and “we so hold”.
“The resolution of this present crisis amongst the House of Representative does not lie with the court to say what the law is but adherence within the country,” Chief Justice Yuoh narrated.
She also noted that all authorities and officers of the state, whether the Legislature, Executive or Judiciary officers of government created by and exercising power pursuant to the provisions of the constitution are expected to meticulously abide by all constitutional mandate and directives.
Chief Justice Yuoh ordered the clerk of the Supreme Court to inform the parties of the court decision and it is hereby so ordered.
Meanwhile, Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon, upon Tuesday’s Supreme Court opinion in the House’s leadership crisis, released a rejection response to the court’s ruling, thus indicating that the crisis is still far from over.
At the same time, mixed reactions have emerged from the public as some citizens have hailed the court’s opinion and called for both parties to fine a common ground to end the crisis, while others argued that Koffa should resign because he no longer enjoys the confidence of majority of his who elected him for the speakership in January 2024.
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