Rep. Yekeh Kolubah
LIBERIA – The Plenary of the House of Representatives has unanimously voted for Montserrado County District #10 Representative, Yekeh Kolubah, to appear before the leadership of the body for investigation on Monday, October 31, 2022.
Plenary’s decision followed a complaint filed to the body by Nimba County District #5 Representative, Samuel Kogar.
In his complaint to Plenary on Tuesday, Rep. Kogar stated that on October 16, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. Rep. Kolubah appeared on the Spoon live podcast on Facebook, YouTube and Live Radio 107.5 FM, alleging that “I, Samuel G. Kogar, Chairman on the House Committee on Commerce and Industry, is in the constant habit of harassing and extorting money in the tone of US$4,000.00 to US$7,000.00, and also alleged that I, was at the Auto-Spare Services office to receive money.”
The Nimba County lawmaker termed these allegations “as not just falsehood but a prevarication intended to destroy my hard-earned character and reputation that I have worked for over the years.”
He said it is based on the statutory mandates that the Commerce Committee has continuously met with businesses to provide oversight and regulate them for the good of the Liberian people and not to extort money from them adding that for Rep. Kolubah to discuss the committee’s work in the most negative form on various media networks is a gross violation of the rules governing the body, and as such, Kolubah should be punished for his repeated repugnance to the Committee and other Committee heads and the House of Representatives at large.
“For our failure to do so the hard-earned reputation of the 54th Legislature will be disrespected and reduced to public ridicule; as we are under oath to represent the Liberian people’s best interest not the interest of basically Lebanese businesses,” he claimed.
Rep. Kogar further reminded his colleagues of Chapter 12, Rules 41.1 and 41.2 of the House Code of Conduct which states: “No member shall misuse the power given to him/her by law. Members shall not use their powers and duties for his/her own advantage or for committing acts of partiality, but for the protection of the interest of the public and citizens in a just manner.”
“I being an Honorable person, who is chairing this committee on Commerce, have at no time in my political career breached the rule mentioned herein above; for which I am craving the indulgence of this body through your gavel to probe the matter promptly as Rep. Kolubah’s action also contravenes the same book,” Rep. Kogar stated.
He, at the same time, said Chapter 13, Rule 48, Section 48.1 which is one of the cardinal rules of a lawmaker concerning their ethical behavior and respect for colleagues, states: “The House shall take disciplinary measure against any member who violates or fails to comply with the House ethics and procedures specified in this rule.”
Following the reading of the complaint, Nimba County District #8 Representative Larry Younquoi filed a motion that Leadership investigates the matter and report to the full Plenary in two weeks. LINA