MONROVIA – A fresh legal battle has intensified the growing controversy surrounding Speaker of the 55th House of Representatives, Richard Nagbe Koon, following the filing of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit by Mrs. Cecelia Kpor Koon against Madam Macdella Cooper, a political advisor to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the lawsuit, which seeks more than US$3 million in damages, accuses Cooper of unlawfully interfering in Mrs. Koon’s marriage by allegedly expressing romantic interest in the Speaker.
Filed through the Kailondo & Associates Law Firm, the complaint alleges that Cooper’s actions caused severe emotional and psychological harm to the plaintiff. Mrs. Koon, who is also pursuing divorce proceedings, is demanding US$3.5 million in general damages for what she describes as emotional distress, anxiety, public humiliation, and loss of affection.
The lawsuit is brought under Liberia’s Domestic Relations Law, specifically Chapter 13, Subsections 13.1 to 13.3, which address unlawful interference in marital relationships. According to the filing, the defendant intentionally disrupted the plaintiff’s marriage, resulting in reputational damage and psychological trauma serious enough to require medical attention.
In addition to general damages, Mrs. Koon is seeking special and punitive damages to be determined at trial. The suit also requests a permanent injunction barring Speaker Koon from contacting her or claiming to be married to her, as well as a court order compelling the retraction of all alleged false claims of marriage.
The legal team, led by Attorney Sylvester G. Lormie, Jr., argues that while the alleged conduct may not constitute a criminal offense, it is “morally reprehensible but legally actionable” under Liberia’s civil law framework. The case is expected to test the application of the country’s marital interference laws and their relevance to high-profile public figures.
The lawsuit comes against the backdrop of mounting public pressure on Speaker Koon, whose leadership has been increasingly overshadowed by personal and ethical allegations. In late December 2025, the Liberia Independent Elder Council for Peace and Reconciliation issued a stern warning, describing what it called a deepening moral and institutional crisis surrounding the Speaker.
In a statement released on December 27, 2025, the Council’s Chairman, Elder Samuel O. Phillips, said the controversy had moved beyond private disputes and evolved into a matter of national concern. He warned that the accumulation of allegations now threatens public trust in the National Legislature and the credibility of one of Liberia’s highest constitutional offices.
The Elder Council expressed particular concern over claims of marital fraud and bigamy involving a woman identifying herself as Mrs. Cecelia Kpor Koon, who has publicly asserted that she is legally married to the Speaker and has called for his resignation. According to the Council, the allegations include claims that the marriage was arranged for immigration benefits and involved forged signatures on official documents.
Further complicating the matter are allegations questioning Speaker Koon’s citizenship and eligibility to hold office. Phillips referenced claims that the Speaker is not a Liberian citizen but Nigerian, assertions that have been amplified by statements from an individual in Nigeria identifying herself as Doris, who claims to be his biological sister.
The Council also cited separate allegations by Madam Verma Walker, who claims the Speaker has failed to provide support for an eleven-year-old child. According to Phillips, such claims raise serious questions about personal responsibility and moral character, particularly for someone occupying the Speaker’s Chair.
Phillips further linked the current scandal to what he described as a troubling pattern of ethical lapses, recalling Speaker Koon’s admission that the removal of former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa was an act of political payback rather than a decision grounded in ethics. He warned that such admissions compound concerns about abuse of power within the House of Representatives.
While acknowledging Speaker Koon’s public response urging accusers to seek redress through the courts and his insistence that his leadership is rooted in character and integrity, the Elder Council maintained that the gravity of the allegations demands more than public statements. As the lawsuit against Macdella Cooper proceeds, Speaker Koon remains at the center of a widening controversy that continues to test public confidence in Liberia’s legislative leadership.
