-As Lawmakers summon Journalist Philipbert Browne
By Mark N. Mengonfia,martinkerkula1989@yahoo.com
Members of the lower House are divided over one of their members, Representative Yekeh Kolubah to sit in a Liberia National Police (LNP) civilian panel investigation of the violence that erupted at a children’s party in his district last Sunday.
Rep. Koloubah complained about unprofessional conduct of the police which left a number of persons injured, including children.
But some Representatives said Rep. Kolubah, who claimed unknown armed men attacked his home in the early hours of Monday, should not be treated as the defendant, since in fact he was the one who complained about the police handling of the situation.
The House of Rep. has mandated its committee on Rules, Orders and Administration to investigate Rep. Kolubah for what some lawmakers called “irresponsible utterances”.
Rep. Kolubah, who represents Montserrado County District #10, was sent to the Rules Orders Administration (ROA) Committee to have him investigated based on comments made against Liberian President George M. Weah relating to the alleged missing 16 Billion Liberian Dollars.
The decision to subject Rep. Kolubah was reached based on two separate communications from Nimba County District #5 lawmaker, Samuel G. Korga.
Representative Korga in his communications said that prayed his colleagues to investigate Rep. Kolubah based on his statements made on public radio, something he said has the ability to create embarrassment for the nation and its people.
He told his colleagues in the communication that Representative Kolubah called on a local radio talk-show and openly said that Liberian President George Weah knows about the mission money.
If Liberians want to know about the mission money, they should visit the home of President Weah, the place he said one of the missing containers is.
Rep. Korga, citing 40.2, 41.2 of their rules, said that there was a need for the lawmaker to be subjected to an investigation to prove the information provided that the President Weah knows about the missing money.
Accordingly, House of Representatives rules 40.2 says that “No member may introduce false information or unsubstantiated matter, pretending that it is true.”
He said that to prove the information provided by Rep. Kolubah, it was important that he answers to some questions.
The Nimba County District #5 lawmaker also cited rule 41.1. “No Member shall misuse the power given to him/her by law,” he said and rules 41.2 that says that “Members shall not use their powers and duties for his/her own advantage or for committing acts of partiality, but for the protection of the interest of the public and citizens in a just manner.”
According to him, the statement by Rep Kolubah that says that journalist Brown show appear before the legislative body at any time he is invited and that he( Yekeh Kolubah) will give him all protection, which will not allow any lawmaker to intimidate him.
Underlining the phase “any lawmaker to intimidate,” according to Korga was creating a dark cloud on them (Lawmakers) as though they were in the habit of intimidating Liberian citizens by their presence. During the deliberations members of that body had different views about both the appearance of journalist Browne and investigation of Rep. Kolubah.
Nimba County Nimba County Representative Larry Younqoi told his colleagues that if they want to have Brown appearing before them, it should be on a friendly note.
He will then be asked to provide those pieces of information they as the people’s direct representatives need from him. The Nimba County Lawmaker also advised that they should be careful on how they treat their colleagues based on statements made.
Nearly all of the CDC lawmakers including Solomon George, Acarous Gray, and Thomas Fallah agreed that their colleague Kolubah be reprimanded by going through an investigation which will service as deterrence for other lawmakers, who will make statements that will create a dark cloud on the image of the House of Representatives.
But while the issue of investigating Rep. Yekeh Kolubah was going on, he walked out of the session. An argument later ensued between Speaker Bohfal Chambers and other lawmakers who were for and against Rep. Kolubah.
A motion raised by Representative Gray had it that Rep. Yekeh Kolubah goes for investigation to House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration and that journalist Brown be made to appear before the full plenary of the House of Representatives with his lawyer to give reasons why he should not be held in contempt for his pronouncements on about the 16 billion Liberian dollars.
But Margibi County Representative Ivar Jones of Margibi County attempted amending the motion by including all other officials of government, who have spoken about the missing billion including the Party Chairperson of ruling CDC, Molubah Morlu to as well provide information about their statements made.
The statement from the Margibi County lawmaker never landed when Speaker Chambers halted him on grounds that it was not the matter that was being discussed. In a telephone conversation with this Reporter, Journalist Philipbert Browne said that he is awaiting the communication from the House of Representatives.
He said he will have to see the composition thereof before making any decision as to wither or not he should go before the plenary of the House of Representatives or not.
“I have not seen any letter, and if they send letter, I will have to get an advice from my lawyer before making any decision,” Journalist Browne said.