IPNEWS: The Liberia Independent Elder Council for Peace and Reconciliation has called for the immediate resignation of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, following what it describes as a wave of serious and troubling allegations that have now become a matter of national concern.
In a strongly worded press release issued Friday under the signature of its Chairman, Elder Samuel O. Phillips, the Council said it was compelled to break its silence in order to safeguard the integrity of the National Legislature and preserve public trust in Liberia’s democratic institutions.
The Elders noted that allegations against the Speaker—raised publicly by a woman identifying herself as Mrs. Cecelia Kpor Koon, who claims to be his wife—have gone beyond private disputes and now constitute a “full-blown public scandal” with far-reaching implications for moral leadership and constitutional order.
Allegations Raising National Alarm
According to the statement, the Council is deeply troubled by multiple allegations circulating in public discourse and on social media. These include claims of marital fraud and bigamy, with Mrs. Kpor Koon alleging that a marriage to Speaker Koon was orchestrated under questionable circumstances, reportedly linked to immigration benefits and involving alleged forged documents.
The Elders further highlighted claims questioning the Speaker’s citizenship and eligibility for office, including assertions that he is not Liberian but Nigerian by birth. These claims, the Council said, have been compounded by statements from an individual in Nigeria identifying herself as his biological sister—contradictions that have fueled public confusion and concern.
Additional allegations cited by the Council include claims by Madam Verma Walker, who has accused the Speaker of failing to support an eleven-year-old child said to be his, raising questions about personal responsibility and moral conduct.
The Council also linked the controversy to what it described as a pattern of ethical lapses, referencing Speaker Koon’s recent public admission that the removal of former Speaker Fonati Koffa was an act of “political payback” rather than a decision grounded in ethics, as earlier presented to the public.
Elders Reject ‘Private Matter’ Framing
While acknowledging the Speaker’s public response urging aggrieved parties to seek redress in court, and his stated commitment to leadership rooted in integrity, the Elder Council said such explanations are inadequate given the gravity of the allegations.
“These matters transcend private legal disputes,” the statement read. “They strike at the heart of the credibility of one of the three highest offices of the Republic.”
The Council further noted that public explanations offered by the Speaker’s media representatives—describing alleged blackmail, family disputes, and immigration-related dealings—only reinforce the need for a formal, transparent, and authoritative investigation.
Calls for Resignation and Investigation
Invoking historical precedent, including the case of Cllr. Ndubusi Nwabudike, whose nomination to the National Elections Commission was rejected over unresolved citizenship issues, the Elders stressed that questions of integrity and eligibility for high office must be treated with utmost seriousness.
Consequently, the Liberia Independent Elder Council for Peace and Reconciliation made three key demands:
• That Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon immediately recuse himself as Speaker of the 55th Legislature and as Representative of District #11 to allow for an independent investigation free from the influence of his office;
• That President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, in collaboration with the leadership of the National Legislature, initiate a swift, credible, and comprehensive investigation into all allegations, involving all relevant state institutions;
• That the justice system act without fear or favor, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of status, are held accountable under the law.
Appeal to National Conscience
The Council warned that failure to act decisively risks eroding public confidence and undermining national unity at a critical moment in Liberia’s democratic journey.
“The peace and reconciliation of our nation rest on truth, accountability, and justice,” the statement concluded. “Allowing these allegations to fester invites cynicism and disorder. The Republic must act now to restore sanity, integrity, and public trust.”
The Liberia Independent Elder Council for Peace and Reconciliation is a non-partisan body of senior citizens committed to promoting ethical governance, national unity, and peaceful dialogue across Liberia.
