In a significant development, Speaker Fonati Koffa has achieved a notable legal victory against rebellious lawmakers, led by Representative Samuel Kogar, during a recent legal conference presided over by Justice in Chambers Yarmie Gbeisay. The Justice emphasized the critical importance of due process while addressing the ongoing leadership challenge within the House of Representatives.
In a directive aimed at the Majority Bloc lawmakers who had abandoned their legislative duties, Justice Gbeisay insisted that they adhere to the proper legal framework in addressing their grievances, first by returning to the original chamber of the House to transact legislative business. Representative Kogar, who attended the session, confirmed plans to convene a meeting tomorrow, although he expressed uncertainty regarding whether it would occur in the main or joint chambers of the House.
Attempts by Kogar’s faction to force Speaker Koffa to relinquish his position met with staunch resistance. Koffa, a holder of a Juris Doctor degree, firmly stated he would not succumb to blackmail from individuals unwilling to respect the rule of law. Consequently, he filed a suit with the Supreme Court to ensure adherence to legal protocols.
During today’s proceedings, the Supreme Court Justice instructed the rebellious lawmakers to reconvene in the original chamber of the House of Representatives to conduct legislative business. This ruling marks Speaker Koffa’s first victory against his colleagues amid the ongoing turmoil.
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes after an October 25, 2024, directive from Justice Gbeisay, which temporarily suspended all legislative actions related to the dispute pending further review.
Representing Speaker Koffa at the session were former Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh and Cllr. Cyrenius Cephas, who argued that the Majority Bloc’s efforts to unseat Koffa lacked adherence to due process and procedural fairness. They highlighted that merely gathering signatures without a formal complaint or a transparent process undermines the integrity of legislative procedures.
On the opposing side, Cllr. Varney Sherman, representing the Majority Bloc, contended that their actions to remove the Speaker were legally justified and that Koffa’s rights had not been violated. However, Justice Gbeisay pressed Sherman for clarification on whether any formal complaint had been lodged against Koffa prior to the removal attempts. Koffa’s legal team promptly challenged Sherman’s assertion of due process, insisting that no formal complaint existed and that the attempt to oust the Speaker was solely orchestrated through signature collection.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the House of Representatives as they navigate this unprecedented leadership challenge.