MONROVIA – Sinoe County Senator Cllr. Augustine S. Chea has raised grave concerns over what he describes as unconstitutional interference by President Joseph Boakai in the affairs of the Judiciary. In a strongly worded statement titled “Executive interference in the work of the Judiciary?”, Senator Chea criticized reports that the President allegedly requested the Supreme Court to delay its ruling on the contentious Bill of Information linked to the ongoing leadership dispute at the House of Representatives.
“If what I’m hearing is true, that the President has asked the Supreme Court to postpone or defer its ruling on the Bill of Information, then that’s a serious violation of the Constitution,” Senator Chea stated, “That would amount to an obstruction of justice; any act that interferes with or impedes the dispensation of justice.”
Senator Chea’s statement comes in response to widespread reports indicating that the Supreme Court’s long-awaited opinion, expected to be delivered on Wednesday, April 9, was delayed following a direct appeal from President Boakai. Sources familiar with the matter allege that the President reviewed the draft opinion and asked for a two-week period to mediate between the two rival factions in the House, embattled Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon of the ruling Unity Party (UP).
Chea expressed alarm over any suggestion that the Judiciary should yield to Executive pressure in resolving a constitutional matter. “Should the Supreme Court succumb to the overreaching of the Executive, or surrender its authority to it? Absolutely not,” he declared. “That would mark the beginning of the end of the independence of the Judiciary. Our country cannot afford the consequences.”
The constitutional crisis stems from a power struggle within the House of Representatives, where two rival groups are claiming leadership. While the Unity Party-controlled Majority Bloc insists that Koon is the legitimate Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa maintains his hold on the position, citing procedural and constitutional grounds.
During earlier oral arguments before the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh acknowledged that while the choice of Speaker is inherently political, the procedures surrounding their election or removal are guided by law. Senator Chea echoed this position, emphasizing that “we are a country of law, not men.”
Chea also pushed back against suggestions made by some political commentators, including Cllr. Jerome Verdier, that the matter is entirely political and should be left to the Legislature to resolve. “Coordination among the branches of government does not mean interference,” Chea stressed. “To say this lies solely in the province of the Legislature is to imply that lawmakers are above the law.”
