Supreme Court Absence At SONA Raises Red Flag By: Julius Konton
The conspicuous absence of the full bench of the Supreme Court of Liberia at the State of the Nation Address has now raised serious public eyebrows. Even though decorated with Red White and Blue, the chairs designated for members of the Supreme Court were seen completely emptied, thus raising serious concern and a major talking point in the corridors of the country. With no clear reason given thus far for their actions, many however argued that members of the Judiciary absence was prompted by the unresolved and unconstitutional crisis at the House of Representatives. As mixed views continue in the public, many think that members of the Judiciary, especially the Supreme Court bench, did not attend the SONA to avoid legitimizing Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker of the 55th National Legislature. As pundits debate the legal and illegal representation of Richard Nagbe Koon as acting Speaker of the House of Representatives, others see the full bench absence as a big blow to President Boakai’s administration especially his second year in office. According to the Director of Press at the Supreme Court, Darius Ambrose Nmah, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia did not boycott the SONA as may be widely speculated but is currently attending a judicial conference in Egypt alongside 58 Chief Justices and Presidents of Supreme and constitutional courts from Africa and the Middle East. However, there were no clear reasons given for the Associate Justices relative to their absence at the SONA. As the debate intensifies, it appears that the rule of law and unconstitutional battle at the House of Representatives will continue in the second year of President Boakai’s administration. However, during his address to the nation, President Boakai called for the strengthening of collaboration as well as dialogue among the three branches of government. The SONA ceremony at the grounds of the Capitol was also marked by drama when lawmakers complained of being treated with disrespect. They pointed at poor sitting positioning opposed to members of the Executive who were seen on the stage along with the president. According to them, the sitting arrangements were disrespectful to them who were elected by the people to serve them. At the ceremony, lawmakers sitting positions were down staged, similar to that of the general audience or other guests something they frowned at greatly.