—–Administrative Action imminent
IPNEWS: Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon is involved in two distinct legal and public disputes involving women claiming to be his wife.
The authoritative Independent Probe can confirm that His wife, Angeline Mamie Worloh Koon, has filed legal action in the Commercial Court of Montserrado County.
Madam Koon alleges that the Speaker has failed to account for more than US$209,000 in rental income from ten jointly owned apartments in Virginia, Montserrado County.
She claims he has managed the properties since 2007 without her involvement, withheld financial details for over a decade, and instructed tenants not to engage with her.
The court summoned the Speaker to appear in March and April 2025 to provide a proper accounting and grant her a 50% share of the earnings.
A second woman, Cecelia Koon Kpor, has publicly claimed to be the Speaker’s wife and has renewed a bid for divorce as of late December 2025.
She accuses the Speaker of bigamy and infidelity, alleging he married another woman abroad while still legally married to her. She also claimed he is Nigerian, not Liberian.
Speaker Koon has dismissed these claims, asserting that Cecelia Koon Kpor is actually his biological sister, not his wife.
Last week Speaker Koon urged his wife to seek redress through the courts rather than using the media to “malign his character”.
Under Liberian law, a public official involved in bigamy is subject to both criminal prosecution and administrative disciplinary actions.
Bigamy is a criminal offense under Section 16.1 of the Liberian Penal Law.
It is illegal to marry someone while still legally married to another person under statutory law.
Convicted individuals can face imprisonment, with sentences recently seen in Liberian courts ranging from three to eight months.
Under the Liberian law, any public officials undergoing criminal prosecution are subject to both administrative actions and judicial procedures governed by the Constitution and the National Code of Conduct.
Public officials accused of criminal offenses, particularly those related to corruption or misconduct, may face immediate administrative sanctions:
Officials can be suspended from office during an investigation or prosecution to prevent interference with the case. In 2025, President Boakai suspended over 450 officials for failing to meet transparency requirements (asset declaration), setting a precedent for immediate administrative action against non-compliant officials.
The Asset Recovery Task Force (renewed in March 2025) has the mandate to reclaim all improperly acquired government assets from current and former officials accused of wrongful enrichment.
Suspended or indicted officials must immediately surrender any government-owned assets (vehicles, equipment) under their control to their respective agencies.
Judicial Procedures
Public officials are tried in courts of competent jurisdiction, with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) often leading investigations and prosecutions for corruption.
Officials are entitled to the same fundamental rights as ordinary citizens, including the right to a fair and public trial, the presumption of innocence, and the right to counsel.
High-ranking officials, such as the Governor of the Central Bank or certain executive officers, may require a Bill of Impeachment from the House of Representatives and a trial by the Senate for removal on grounds of misconduct or felony conviction.
While the President is immune from arrest or prosecution while in office, they may be prosecuted for criminal acts committed during their tenure after they vacate the presidency.
Upon conviction, officials may face prison time and, for corruption cases, may be required to perform community service in public view or have their personal bank accounts seized to recover stolen funds.
Regulatory Oversight
Governs the behavior of all public officials and stipulates that those who engage in activities against public policy or conflict of interest will face penalties prescribed by the Legislature.
The LACC has the authority to issue citations, investigate acts of corruption independently, and pursue sanctions through the court system.
Penalties may also include monetary fines, or both, depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
While statutory law prohibits bigamy, Liberian customary law allows a man to have multiple wives. However, an official cannot legally hold a statutory marriage and a customary marriage simultaneously with different people.
Administrative Action
Public officials are held to higher ethical standards under the National Code of Conduct.
A breach of the Code of Conduct or involvement in criminal acts can trigger disciplinary measures from the Civil Service Standing Orders or the official’s specific agency.
Depending on the gravity of the offense, a public official may face:
Dismissal or removal from office, Suspension from duty, sometimes with half pay, and Reprimand or demotion in rank.
Prosecution for misconduct in office can be commenced at any time while the official is in office or within two years of leaving.
Complaints against public officials for misconduct or criminal acts like bigamy can be reported to the head of their institution or the Ombudsman. In high-profile cases involving top officials, the House of Representatives may establish an Ethics Committee or investigative panel to ascertain the facts.
