MONROVIA, LIBERIA – In a stunning revelation, Rep. J. Marvin Cole of District #3, Bong County and chair of the House Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration has accused Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah of criminal behavior, alleging that he has evidence of Fallah stashing $1.4 million in his bedroom. Speaking during a live interview on Thursday, October 17, 2024, Cole made the explosive claim while participating in a session shutdown, alongside other lawmakers, in protest of recent developments within the House of Representatives.
“We are calling on Interpol. We are calling on the government of Liberia to begin an investigation,” Rep. Cole declared. “I am willing to be a state witness. I have the photo. I have the video recording to provide to the government.” His statement, delivered with conviction, labeled Fallah as “no less than a criminal” and called for urgent action from national and international investigative bodies.
Cole’s outburst stems from ongoing allegations of a bribery scheme, in which US$25,000 was reportedly being distributed to lawmakers to secure the removal of Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa. Cole expressed his outrage at what he described as an unorthodox and unjustified plan, denouncing his colleagues for their role in the alleged conspiracy. “We cannot allow this to happen, planning to remove the Speaker without any cause or reason,” he added.
The scandal surrounding Speaker Koffa’s potential ousting has entangled the Liberian legislature in a web of bribery allegations. On the same day as Rep. Cole’s revelations, Rep. Luther Collins of Gbarpolu County’s District #2 exposed a scheme purportedly orchestrated by Vice President Jeremiah Koung and Deputy Speaker Fallah to impeach Speaker Koffa. During a live Facebook video, Rep. Collins claimed he was offered US$25,000 to participate in the plot, and even presented a sum of US$15,000 as evidence, stating that it was the initial payment of the bribe.
According to Collins, the attempt to unseat Koffa was part of a larger internal power struggle aimed at destabilizing the leadership of the House of Representatives. Collins also shared a list of lawmakers allegedly involved in the conspiracy and accused Koung and Fallah of seeking to realign leadership within the influential Ways, Means & Finance Committee, chaired by Rep. Dixon Seeboe, a key ally of Speaker Koffa.
“For the past two days, rumors have been circulating about impeaching Speaker Koffa,” Collins explained in his video. “I pretended to be part of the scheme in order to expose this corruption to the Liberian people. This is not in the best interest of our country.”
Rep. Collins’ efforts to infiltrate the plot have added fuel to the growing controversy within the legislature. His evidence, combined with Rep. Cole’s accusations, points to deep divisions and potential corruption at the highest levels of the Liberian government. The allegations of bribery, money laundering, and criminal collusion have left the public demanding accountability and swift action.
As the scandal unfolds, Rep. Cole has positioned himself as a central figure in the call for justice, urging the government and international agencies to investigate not only the alleged bribery but also the source of the $1.4 million in Fallah’s possession. “We need answers,” Cole insisted. “This is not just about Speaker Koffa, but about the integrity of our entire legislative body.”
The accusations have set the stage for a potentially explosive investigation into the conduct of Liberia’s lawmakers, with both the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Ministry of Justice expected to take action. If proven true, the allegations could have far-reaching consequences for the leadership of the House of Representatives and the broader political landscape.
For now, the public awaits the next chapter in what has become a defining moment for Liberia’s legislative integrity.
