MONROVIA – The Liberia Independent Elder Council for Peace and Reconciliation has issued a stern and urgent warning over what it describes as a deepening moral and institutional crisis surrounding Speaker of the 55th House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon. In a statement released on Saturday, December 27, 2025, the Council, through its Chairman, Elder Samuel O. Phillips, said it was compelled to break its silence amid what he called a “torrent of disturbing allegations” that now threaten public trust in the National Legislature.
Phillips said the controversy surrounding Speaker Koon has moved far beyond personal disputes and into a full-scale national concern. “What began as personal disputes have now erupted into a full-blown public scandal, threatening the sanctity of our republic and the public’s trust in its institutions,” Phillips said, warning that the credibility of one of Liberia’s highest constitutional offices is now under serious strain.
The Elder Council expressed grave concern over allegations of marital fraud and bigamy involving a woman identifying herself as Mrs. Cecelia Kpor Koon, who has publicly claimed she is legally married to Speaker Koon and has called for his resignation. According to the Council, the allegations include claims that the marriage was orchestrated for immigration benefits and involved forged signatures on official documents, raising questions that Phillips said “cannot be dismissed as gossip or rumor.”
Equally troubling, Phillips said, are claims challenging Speaker Koon’s citizenship and eligibility to hold office. He noted that the same woman has alleged that the Speaker is not a Liberian citizen but a Nigerian, a claim further complicated by assertions from an individual in Nigeria identifying herself as Doris, who claims the Speaker is her biological brother. Phillips pointed to what he described as a “deeply confusing and concerning narrative,” noting that Speaker Koon himself has publicly referred to Cecelia Kpor as “my sister, Mrs. Cecelia Koon Kpor.”
The Council also cited separate allegations from Madam Verma Walker, who claims the Speaker has failed to provide support for an eleven-year-old child. Phillips said such claims raise serious questions about personal responsibility and moral character, particularly for someone occupying the Speaker’s Chair. He warned that when private conduct raises public concern, it inevitably reflects on the integrity of the office itself.
Phillips further linked the current scandal to what he described as a troubling pattern of ethical lapses. He recalled Speaker Koon’s recent admission that the removal of former Speaker Fonati Koffa was an act of political payback rather than a decision grounded in ethics. According to Phillips, this admission “undermines the foundational integrity of the House” and compounds concerns about abuse of power.
While acknowledging Speaker Koon’s public response urging accusers to seek redress through the courts and his claim to leadership rooted in “character, discipline, and integrity,” Phillips said such statements fall far short of what the moment demands. “The scale and nature of these allegations transcend private legal matters,” Phillips said, stressing that issues touching on fraud, citizenship, and abuse of authority strike at the heart of constitutional governance.
Phillips said the situation has worsened following public statements by the Speaker’s own media advisor, who framed the controversy as blackmail while recounting details involving forged documents, immigration dealings, and family disputes. According to Phillips, this development confirms that “this matter cannot be resolved on social media or through press statements” and instead requires a formal, transparent, and authoritative investigation.
Invoking national precedent, Phillips referenced the case of Cllr. Ndubusi Nwabudike, whose nomination to the National Elections Commission was blocked and later invalidated over unresolved questions of citizenship. He said that episode established a clear standard that eligibility and integrity for high public office must be resolved with seriousness and transparency, adding that the same principle applies to the Speaker of the House.
The Elder Council, Phillips said, is therefore calling on Speaker Koon to immediately and honorably recuse himself as Speaker and as Representative of District #11 to allow an independent investigation free from the influence of his office. The Council is also urging President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Legislature, and the justice system to initiate a swift, credible, and comprehensive inquiry into all allegations. “The peace and reconciliation of our nation are built upon truth, accountability, and justice,” Phillips said, warning that failure to act decisively risks eroding public confidence and destabilizing the moral authority of the Liberian state.
