spot_imgspot_img
Tuesday, December 10, 2024

HOUSE MAJORITY BLOC CRACKS DOWN ON INDISCIPLINE MARVIN COLE AND ALLIES SUSPENDED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Date:

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – In an unprecedented move, the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives, led by Representative Samuel G. Kogar, voted unanimously on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, to suspend three lawmakers, including Bong County District #3 Representative J. Marvin Cole, for acts deemed unbecoming of their roles as legislators.

The other two lawmakers suspended are Montserrado County Representatives Dixon Seboe of District #16 and Ellen Attoh Wreh of District #3. Seboe and Wreh were removed as Chairman and Co-Chair, respectively, of the House’s Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget Committee. The plenary also directed the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Liberia, and all commercial banks to cease any business dealings with the suspended lawmakers on behalf of the House of Representatives.

Representative Marvin Cole’s suspension stems from a series of disruptive actions during legislative sessions. On October 17, 2024, he allegedly locked the doors of the main chamber, preventing the body from conducting its legislative business. Later that day, Cole reportedly led a group of individuals into the Joint Chamber, causing a civil disturbance. This group is alleged to have used pepper spray during a Majority Bloc session, further escalating tensions.

The Majority Bloc requested Cole to appear and respond to the allegations but stated that he failed to comply with their communications. Consequently, the plenary voted to suspend him for 30 session days, stripping him of all legislative immunities and benefits.

Representatives Dixon Seboe and Ellen Attoh Wreh faced suspension for their roles as leaders of the Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget Committee. The Majority Bloc accused the two lawmakers of actions incompatible with their positions, although specific details of their alleged infractions were not disclosed during the session.

Two more Montserrado County lawmakers, Representative Edward P. Flomo of District #13 and Representative Abu Kamara of District #15, were also suspended for 30 working days without legislative benefits. The plenary did not provide detailed explanations for their suspensions but emphasized the lawmakers’ failure to adhere to legislative norms and procedures.

This wave of suspensions highlights growing divisions within the House of Representatives, particularly between the Majority Bloc and Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s faction. Despite the Majority Bloc’s decisive actions, lawmakers from Bong County abstained from the vote to suspend their colleague Marvin Cole, signaling potential dissent within the bloc itself.

The suspension of five lawmakers simultaneously raises concerns about the functionality of Liberia’s legislative body as it steers pressing national issues. For now, the Majority Bloc appears resolute in enforcing discipline and preserving order within the House.

Socrates Smythe Saywon
Socrates Smythe Saywon is a Liberian journalist. You can contact me at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or reach out via email at saywonsocrates@smartnewsliberia.com or saywonsocrates3@gmail.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

CLASHES AT CAPITOL HILL HIGHLIGHT POWER STRUGGLES AND THREATS TO LIBERIA’S DEMOCRACY

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – Tensions boiled over at the...

‘WHERE IS OUR PRESIDENT?’ SENATOR KONNEH CALLS FOR STRONGER LEADERSHIP FROM BOAKAI

LIBERIA – Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Mohammed Konneh, who...

DR. NYAN ISSUES URGENT HEALTH WARNING AS NPHIL ENHANCES SURVEILLANCE AGAINST VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, the Director-General...

BOAKAI SIDESTEPS SPEAKER KOFFA: LOGICALITY OR PRECEDENT-SETTING BREACH?

President Joseph Boakai's decision to submit the 2025 draft...

A MILESTONE FOR LIBERIA’S HIGHER EDUCATION, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN

The launch of Liberia’s first doctoral programs at the...

BOAKAI’S MISPLACED AMBITIONS AS LIBERIA BLEEDS AND THE PRESIDENT COURTS GLOBAL VANITY

Eight months into his presidency, Joseph Boakai’s administration is...

COMMENTARY

THE LASTING LEGACY OF PRINCE JOHNSON’S DEATH AND THE PATH FORWARD FOR LIBERIA

By Lyndon J. Ponnie, Sr. The passing of former Liberian...

PRES. BOAKAI’S LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND LIBERIA’S POLITICAL CRISIS

-A Commentary Joseph Boakai's failure to lead has once again...

THE MASS DISMISSAL OF LIBERIAN PUBLIC SERVANTS: A TROUBLING TREND UNDER THE BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION

A Commentary by Wondah L. Jah Since assuming the presidency,...

SECURITY RISKS: IS PRESIDENT BOAKAI UNKNOWINGLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR EARLY COUP D’ÉTAT?

In his commentary, Liberian political analyst Vandalerk R. Patricks...

LATEST NEWS

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

LIBERIANS ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UP AND CDC

  An Opinion By Grace RK Guar Every six...

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

AMID AN UNENDING WAR AGAINST POVERTY, INJUSTICES – HAS THE PROGRESSIVE STRUGGLE BECOME LOST IN TRANSLATION?

A Patriot's Diary With Ekena Wesley What manner of Liberian progressives...

HAS PRESIDENT BOAKAI’S GOVERNMENT BEGUN BEARING GOOD FRUITS? (PART1)

By Jacob N.B. Parley Following a careful reflection, I have...

ELEVATING THE AG BIBLE COLLEGE TO A UNIVERSITY: A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

By Jacob N.B. Parley After many years of successful preaching...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link