MONROVIA – A session in the House of Representatives was abruptly adjourned on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, due to insufficient attendance, highlighting a growing political crisis surrounding Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Only 30 lawmakers were present while 42 were absent, leading to the session’s suspension.
Speaker Koffa and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah presided over the meeting, with Chief Clerk Mildred Siryon confirming the attendance. After verifying the numbers, Koffa instructed the sergeant-at-arms to locate the missing lawmakers. However, the sergeant-at-arms reported that none were on the premises. Faced with this lack of quorum, Koffa announced that punitive measures would be implemented against absent Secretariat members.
In response to the ongoing situation, Representative Musa Bility proposed adjourning the session until the next plenary and suggested legal avenues to compel absent lawmakers to attend future meetings. Consequently, the Koffa faction ended the session.
Meanwhile, a group of lawmakers claiming to be the majority convened in a separate chamber, with some members of the House Secretariat participating in this alternative session. The Chief Clerk and Deputy Chief Clerk remained with Koffa’s group. The majority faction is reportedly demanding that Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah join their discussions. The situation remains unresolved, as the majority plans to return to the main chamber. Notably, Senate activities continue unaffected by the turmoil.
This crisis follows a press conference held on October 20, 2024, by anti-Koffa lawmakers led by Representatives Samuel G. Kogar and Sekou S. Kanneh, who called for Koffa’s immediate resignation. They accused him of significant corruption and financial mismanagement, alleging that he misappropriated millions of dollars during his time as Deputy Speaker and now as Speaker.
During the conference, Rep. Kogar emphasized their commitment to holding Koffa accountable, stating, “We are here to inform the public that our resolution is clear—Speaker Koffa is corrupt.” With 42 lawmakers backing their resolution and 38 present at the press conference, Kogar asserted their firm decision to seek Koffa’s removal.
Rep. Nyahn G. Flomo of Nimba County District #2 presented a detailed statement, revealing that Koffa received $9.7 million over two fiscal years, despite only being allocated $2.6 million during that time. Specifically, in 2023, his office was budgeted $1.1 million but received $4.1 million, and in 2024, Koffa received $5.6 million against an allocation of $1.5 million. Flomo described these transactions as illegal and violations of the Budget Transfer Act of 2008.
Additionally, the lawmakers accused Koffa of obstructing a General Audit Commission (GAC) investigation that began in March 2024, as he allegedly ordered the audit team to leave when they arrived in April. “President Joseph Boakai has initiated a commitment to audit the past administration, and while the Senate has completed its audit, Koffa has failed to deliver on his promise to audit the House,” Flomo stated.
The lawmakers also criticized Koffa for neglecting issues regarding the treatment of House staff, with reports of employees being removed from the payroll under the direction of Honorable Marvin Cole without any action taken by Koffa. “This indicates a blatant disregard for staff welfare, showcasing Koffa’s ineffective leadership,” Flomo remarked.
In conclusion, the lawmakers condemned Koffa’s actions, which they claimed brought “disdain and dishonor” to the Speaker’s office and the House of Representatives. They reiterated their demand for his immediate resignation, declaring, “We cannot allow this level of corruption to continue in the people’s House. Koffa has enriched himself at the expense of the Liberian people, and his leadership is no longer sustainable.” The political crisis surrounding Koffa continues to unfold, raising serious concerns about the integrity of Liberia’s legislative body.
