The Majority Bloc in Liberia has suspended four additional lawmakers for misconduct, increasing total suspensions to seven. The decision includes salary forfeiture and potential expulsion warnings for not adhering to legislative mandates. This move intensifies existing political tensions and raises questions about fairness and constitutional integrity within the House.
In a recent development from Liberia, the Majority Bloc has suspended four more lawmakers for a duration of 30 session days due to what they describe as ‘misconduct’. The impacted representatives are Frank Saah Foko (District 9, Montserrado County), Eugene Kollie (District 3, Montserrado County), Zinnah Normah (District 3, Lofa County), and Alex Noah (District 3, Gbarpolu County). The decision, communicated during a session on Thursday, was taken after an earlier hold on their suspension was removed by the House Plenary, with the Majority Bloc asserting that the lawmakers’ actions did not align with their responsibilities as elected officials.
The suspension entails the forfeiture of their salaries and benefits for the months of December, January, and February. Furthermore, there is a possibility that their salaries for March could be redirected to the government should the Majority Bloc deem it necessary. Proposed disciplinary measures have stirred further tensions within the legislature, as the presiding officer has indicated that previously suspended lawmakers may face expulsion in January for non-compliance with the mandate to refrain from attending Capitol sessions. However, Rep. Samuel Kogar has cautioned that imposing such punishment could violate principles of double jeopardy, as the lawmakers are already under suspension for the same offenses.
This recent action comes on the heels of earlier suspensions against Representatives Marvin Cole, Abu Kamara, and Edward Papay Flomo, raising the total number of suspended lawmakers to seven. The Majority Bloc, which operates in opposition to Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s leadership, has been conducting its meetings in the Joint Chamber, thereby contesting the Speaker’s authority. The disputes within the House have prompted accusations of unconstitutionality from the pro-Koffa faction, who assert that the ongoing actions of the Majority Bloc jeopardize the legislature’s credibility.
Critics of the suspensions have voiced concerns regarding fairness and transparency, suggesting that the actions taken by the Majority Bloc are politically motivated. Such sentiments reflect a broader atmosphere of political tension and divisions currently present within the legislative body of Liberia.
The suspensions of lawmakers in Liberia highlight ongoing political tensions within the legislative body. The Majority Bloc’s opposition to Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has led to significant disputes over House leadership, with recent accusations of misconduct against lawmakers creating further divisions. This ongoing conflict is underpinned by allegations of unconstitutional actions by the Majority Bloc, raising questions about the integrity and functionality of the House.
In conclusion, the Majority Bloc’s suspension of four more lawmakers for alleged misconduct emphasizes the escalating political discord within the Liberian Legislature. As tensions rise and accusations of constitutional violations surface, significant scrutiny surrounds the processes and motivations behind these suspensions. The ongoing disputes may continue to catalyze division within the House and challenge its overall credibility.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
