By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – The first day sitting of the Extraordinary Session of the 55th Legislature of the House of Representatives opened with a heavy agenda but quickly evolved into a tense and consequential debate, as lawmakers confronted issues ranging from national economic policy to internal discipline within their ranks.
Convened on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the session followed formal legislative procedures, including the call to order, prayer, roll call, and adoption of the agenda. However, beneath these routine steps lay a series of communications and proposals that would define the tone of the day’s deliberations.
Central to the session was what plenary described as “business on the Speaker’s desk,” including a proclamation and multiple legislative submissions from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Among the most significant was a proposal seeking approval for the printing of additional banknotes for the period 2026 to 2030, a move likely to spark broader economic debate.
The President also submitted several international instruments for ratification, including maritime conventions and amendments tied to global shipping regulations. These, along with proposed revisions to Liberia’s maritime law and a loan agreement with the African Development Fund to support renewable energy expansion, signaled the administration’s push to align Liberia with international standards while addressing domestic development needs.
Amid these national concerns, a legislative proposal from Grand Bassa County Representative Isaac G. Bannie sought to amend and repeal Section 7.2 of the National Defense Act of 2008, specifically targeting eligibility criteria for service in the Armed Forces of Liberia. The bill is expected to trigger policy discussions on military recruitment and reform.
However, the most politically charged moment of the session came through a communication requesting the expulsion of Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah. The request, submitted by Montserrado County lawmaker Suo K. Mulbah, accused Kolubah of misconduct and violations deemed incompatible with his role as a legislator.
The matter gained further gravity following a separate communication from Gregory O. W. Coleman, Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, who informed the House that Kolubah’s conduct had raised serious concerns regarding national security, police safety, and public stability.
Plenary’s agenda also reflected growing internal tensions within the Legislature. Grand Gedeh County Representative Jacob Cheatear Debee called for the immediate cancellation of a contract with LIBENERGY, while Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko Jr. filed a formal complaint alleging assault and attempted assassination by state security forces.
Additional communications included a request from Nimba County Representative Kortor S. Kwagrue for an investigation into allegations of financial impropriety involving fellow lawmakers. Meanwhile, Montserrado County Representative Mukah M. Kamara urged plenary to mandate the General Auditing Commission to audit the 2024 Legislative Support Project Fund.
In another critical matter, Montserrado County District #4 Representative Michael M. Thomas requested that key government officials, including the Justice Minister and heads of national security institutions, appear before the House to provide a detailed report on the cause of the November 14, 2025 fire disaster in the Shara Community.
The session also acknowledged administrative matters, including a request for leave of absence from Nimba County Representative Tarr Z. Wongbe and the submission of the Central Bank of Liberia’s 2025 annual report by Executive Governor Henry F. Saamoi.
