Former president George Weah has come against President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, urging him to uphold the Wednesday, April 23 second opinions of the Supreme Court in the House of Representatives speakership crisis.
But in the views of the public, Weah himself violated the Constitution during his regime.
For example, one legal practitioner recalled how in 2019, members of the 54th Legislature under the influenced of the Weah administration impeached Justice Ja’neh for “granting a Writ of Prohibition petitioned by petroleum dealers in the country to stop the Weah government from collecting levy/taxes of US$0.25 (road fund) imposed on the pump price of petroleum products.”
At that time, 22 Senators voted to remove Justice Ja’neh, four voted against his removal, while three of the senators abstained from the process.
However, said decision taken by Justice Ja’neh when he served as the Justice in Chambers, was endorsed by the full bench of the Supreme Court, the then Chief Justice Francis Korkpor, who presided over the impeachment trial while the senators served as jurors.
Ja’neh’s lawyers prayed the Supreme Court not to admit the verdict into the Senate’s records “because the procedure used to impeach Justice Ja’neh was contrary to the procedure prescribed by the Constitution.
All efforts ECOWAS Court exerted on the Weah regime to reinstate Ja’neh or pay him off was never honored.
one of Weah’s kinsmen, Eugene Lenn Nagbe said the CDC government was reviewing the court’s decision.
Weah’s statement
In a dramatic trend of event, Weah released a strongly worded statement following the Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday legitimizing the speakership of the embattled speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
Weah office, according to a release, cautions that any attempt to undermine, ignore or dismiss the court’s ruling would threaten the very foundation of the country.
In the words of Mr. Weah, such decision if taken will plunge Liberia into a constitutional crisis, a crisis that the country’s fragile peace, hard-won stability and democratic progress cannot withstand.
Weah, the release said, re-emphasized that the Supreme Court ruling in the speakership crisis is “not merely a legal decision; it is a crucial affirmation of the rule of law and the constitutional order that underpins the country’s democracy.” As such, it must be respected.
Mr. Weah meanwhile called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to respect the ruling and uphold constitutional order.
He said that by ignoring or rejecting the authority of the judiciary undermines the sovereignty of the country’s organic law; the Constitution and endangers the collective peace with dire consequences.
Additionally, Weah called on the international partners and all supporters of Liberia to encourage the Boakai’s administration to uphold the rule of law and comply with the Supreme Court’s decision.
“You are our allies; your investments have been vital to Liberia’s stability and progress in democracy,” he said.
Weah has meanwhile encouraged the people of Liberia to remain resolved and as part of their duties to defend their democracy which is founded on justice, legality and the rule of law.
“We must stand united and firm in support and protection of our constitution, regardless of political pressures or challenges. Our future depends on our collective commitment to uphold these sacred values,” Weah said.
He said that the country’s strength lies in its adherence to justice and its respect for the rule of law.
Moreover, Mr. Weah wants all Liberians to reaffirm their dedication to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous country; one that remains a beacon of democracy and hope in the region.
The former president statement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court of Liberia
ruling following the opinion regarding the Bill of Information (BoI) filed by J. Fonati Koffa regarding his removal as speaker of the House.
The Court decisively declared that the actions of the majority-bloc in the House are “unconstitutional and illegal.”
It also reaffirmed that Koffa remains the legitimate and constitutional Speaker of the House of Representatives as per the Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Supreme Court ruling.
By Fortune TV Liberia staff writer contributed to this story.
Comments are closed.