–_As Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s Authority Upheld in Bill of Information Hearing.
IPNEWS: The supreme court of Liberia today burst into laughter and fun after members of the Supreme Court rumble U.S. indictee Cllr. Varney sharman during a cross examination in a Bill of Information.
cllr. Sherman fumble several times to substantiate the legal reliance for the action of by the Majority Bloc to elect a new speaker when the supreme court previously ruled that their actions to elect a speaker while speaker Koffa Is still presiding is ‘ultra viral’.
The Bill of Information hearing seemingly reaffirmed that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa retains his authority to preside over the House of Representatives, even in the absence of a quorum. The proceedings also clarified that regardless of the number of lawmakers present, Speaker has the sole discretion to either compel attendance or adjourn the session.
Speaker’s Authority and the Role of Quorum
One of the important portion during the cross-examination clarified that members of the majority bloc did not have the authority to convene their own sessions contrary to an opion of Justice Minister N. Olswold Tweh, upon which both the majority bloc and the Liberia Senate rely upon to elect their own speaker and also endorse the authority of the majority bloc speaker and their setting.
The Supreme Court also clarified that Speaker Koffa’s minority bloc did meet quorum requirements by ensuring the constitutional provisions that every session must have a constitutionally mandated presiding officer, and under the rules of the House of Representatives, the Speaker holds the exclusive authority to call and preside over such sessions.
The Supreme Court interpretation now reinforces the legislative authority in presiding officer as the speaker and ensures that procedural order is maintained within the House. It prevents factions within the legislature from independently convening sessions without the Speaker’s authorization, thereby upholding the integrity of the legislative process.
Deputy Speaker’s Limited Role
Additionally, the hearing confirmed that the Deputy Speaker cannot assume presiding responsibilities unless the Speaker is absent or has explicitly delegated authority. In the case of Speaker Koffa, there was no such delegation, nor was he absent, incapacitated, or unable to perform his duties due to illness or any other reason.
This ruling underscores the constitutional and procedural constraints within which legislative leadership operates. It prevents any unauthorized assumption of the Speaker’s role and ensures that the established chain of command remains intact.
Implications for Legislative Governance
The decision serves as a precedent in affirming the Speaker’s ultimate authority in parliamentary proceedings. It eliminates ambiguity regarding the role of quorum and prevents lawmakers from bypassing procedural norms to achieve political objectives. This ruling also strengthens institutional stability by ensuring that legislative functions are conducted under a recognized and authorized leadership structure.
With this clarification, Speaker Koffa’s leadership remains firmly in place, reinforcing the rule of law and legislative order in the House of Representatives. As political dynamics continue to evolve, this decision will likely shape future legislative processes and maintain the integrity of parliamentary governance in Liberia.
strangely, chief Justice Youh, requested full security protection of each member of the supreme court, casting fear by political observers wonder what may have prompted chief justice Youh’s decision.
it may be recalled, on December 18,2024, the Capitol building came under fire in the early hours of the morning prompting the government took institute ongoing investigation for which speaker Koffa and other members of the majority bloc have been called in for investigation leaving out members of the majority bloc.
