But Rep. Kolubah Vows To Resist Expulsion Through Court Action, As Expulsion Sparks Mixed Reactions
PHOTO: Speaker Koon presiding (above) Houses plenary in session (below left) and Rep. Kolubah (below right)
By K. Ericson Sayee, Contributing Writer
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia –In what is seen as an unprecedented move, the leadership of Liberia’s House of Representatives has passed a stringent measure preventing expelled controversial Montserrado County District #10 Rep. Yekeh Y. Kolubah from accessing the premises of the Legislature, particularly the House of Representatives.
Rep. Kolubah, whose expulsion emanated from an alleged statement attributed to him regarding the disputed border between Liberia and Guinea in Lofa County, was ousted from office on Friday, April 17, 2026, as recommended in the report of the Rules, Order, and Administration during the ongoing Special Sitting.
During the special sitting of the House’s plenary on Friday, 49 of the 73 members of the House voted to have him removed, constituting a two-third majority leading to his expulsion.
But in an interview with Journalists shortly after his expulsion, Rep. Kolubah vehemently rejected the action and vowed to challenge it in court.
Before Friday’s deliberations in plenary, the Supreme Court had put a stay order on proceedings against Rep. Kolubah which h’s lawyers headed by former Supreme Court Associate Justice, Kabina Janeh prayed for.
After the decision to expel Rep. Kolubah and as enshrined in the committee’s report that he should be stripped off his “rights, privileges, and amenities”, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon mandated the Rules, Order, and Administration to bar Kolubah from entering offices, including his office assigned to him.
He added that every property in his possession belonging to the House be taken away from him.
“The decision made so far by Plenary on the acceptance of the resolution and expulsion of Former Representative Yekeh Kolubah, the Rules, Order, and Administration is here by order to take seize of the House’s properties and ensure the former Lawmaker does not enter any offices and is here by so order,” the Speaker instructed.
Initially vowing not to apologize for any statement made by him, Kolubah during his press conference on Thursday, April 16, 2026, agreed to apologize if called upon by his colleagues, though he insisted that he made no forbidden love statement regarding the Liberia–Guinea border, which has been under contention since March 2026.
Hon Kolubah’s latest assertion wanting to apologize to his colleagues, when he is asked to do so, signalled the consequence he would face from his fellow legislators.
Legal Reliance
Rep. Kolubah has remained adamant as he continues to say he will use the legal means through the court of competent jurisdiction, and when the court rules on his side, he promised to proceed to work, saying that nobody can’t stop him when the court orders his reinstatement in the legislature.
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, in its citation to the House, the Supreme Court asked the process to be halted until its planned conference between Hon. Kolubah and the leadership meet on Monday. But the House’s deputy chief denied that such citation was received by the House, paving the way for the removal of Hon. Kolubah.
Mixed Reactions
There have been diverse reactions to the impeachment. Some Liberians, notably Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, have criticized the move of the House to oust Kolubah, noting that his assertion could only be trial at the court of competent jurisdiction, as the matter falls within the bailiwick of the Constitution of Liberia.
He says the lawmakers have no authority to proceed with the expulsion as Kolubah’s opinion expressed about the Liberia–Guinea border that the land belongs to Guinea is considered “treasonous” by the House, making his position clear that such matter is constitutional offense.
His position has also been supported by other Liberians; in fact, some are saying Kolubah’s matter is not as serious as the pressing national issues facing the country. This position is being supported by strong government’s apologists.
“Let us be clear: if the Inspector General believes that Hon. Kolubah has committed treason, the law provides a straightforward course—arrest, charge, and prosecution before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
“Treason is a criminal offense, not a political accusation to be resolved through impeachment or expulsion. The Legislature is not a criminal court and cannot determine guilt or innocence for such an offense,” Cllr. Gongloe in his commentary regarding the matter expressed.
On the other hand, there are other citizens that are backing his removal on grounds that he has always rain insults at the presidency, to other officials of government, and to some prominent Liberians. They believe his expulsion will restore dignity to the House and to the government in its entirety.
What’s next?
Every Liberian is now keenly watching as to what happens next after Kolubah’s impeachment, as the Supreme Court cited the both parties to a conference on next Monday.
After that moment, the country will know where the decision is headed, whether it will stand or be revisited. This now becomes the next focal point, as the Constitution makes it clear about three equal branches with a separation of power.
It now seems that Rep. Kolubah’s fate now hinges on the court for the restoration of his rights, privileges, and amenities stripped off from him, barring from entering the grounds of the Capitol Building.