The Fate Of Speaker Fonati Kofffa Still Hangs In The Balance
PHOTO: Cllr Varney Sherman and others defending the “majority bloc” trying to oust embattled Speaker Cllr. Fonati Koffa at the Supreme Court
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Deciding his fate by either issuing the Alternative writ or declining to issue it
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- The Supreme Court of Liberia Chambers Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay is expected to decide the fate of embattled House speaker Fonati Kofa.
On Monday November 4,2024, Justice Gbeisay heard arguments between the minority and majority blocs of embattled Speaker Fonati Kofa in order to make an informed decision.
During the arguments, Justice Gbeisay questioned Cllr. Varney Sherman who was representing the majority bloc of Speaker Kofa why not his clients return to the main chambers of the House of Representatives and deliver their complaints and the person they having issue step aside and his deputy presided rather than staying away?
Cllr. Chairman is former Senator of Grand Cape Mount County.
He clarified that his stay order issued didn’t prevent lawmakers from assembling from performing their functions but rather its their illegal actions toward the removal process.
Arguing for the majority bloc against Speaker Kofa, Cllr. H. Varney Sherman denied that nothing has been done to remove the speaker because he’s still enjoying his speakership under the law of the Republic of Liberia.
Cllr. Sherman said, the petition filed by speaker Kofa was pre-matured and as far as he’s concerned, nothing is happening at the House of Representatives.
While Cllr. Syrenius Cephas former Associate Justice Kabineh J’aneh said, the lawmakers should give their client due process. Since Article 49 gives them the right to elect n remove speaker.
Article 49
The House of Representative shall elect once every six years a Speaker who shall be the presiding officer of that body, a Deputy Speaker, and such other officers as shall ensure the proper functioning of the House. The speaker, the Deputy Speaker and other officers so elected may be removed from office for cause by resolution of a two-thirds majority of the members of the House.
Speaker with Judicial reporters, some lawmakers from the majority bloc agreed to have session in the main chambers of the House of Representatives this Tuesday November 5,2024 to initiate the due process highlighted by Cllr. Kofa lawyers.
It can be recalled on October 25, 2024, the Chambers Justice issued a stay order on every proceedings of the anti Kofa bloc pending the outcome of today’s conference.