MONROVIA, LIBERIA – On Friday, December 20, 2024, the Supreme Court sided with Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah, ordering the leadership of the House of Representatives to pay his unpaid salary and benefits for June 2021. The court determined that the House’s refusal to settle the lawmaker’s dues was a violation of a previous mandate issued by the Justice in Chambers, prompting the issuance of a peremptory writ of mandamus. This legal action compels the House leadership to fulfill its obligations, with no opportunity for delay or explanation.
The case, under the leadership of former Speaker Bhofal Chambers, represents another chapter in the ongoing legal dispute between Kolubah and the House of Representatives. In July 2021, Kolubah filed a writ of prohibition against the Lower House after being suspended from attending special sessions. The suspension, originally set for 30 meeting days, stemmed from accusations of his disrespectful behavior toward former President George Weah, the former Speaker, and fellow lawmakers.
Kolubah’s suspension, which was later reduced to 16 meeting days, led him to challenge the decision in court, claiming that the House had violated its own rules and had no legal grounds to prevent him from attending special sessions. His legal battles with the House have been marked by multiple court filings, including a Bill of Information in 2021, in which he argued that the House had failed to pay his salary and benefits, despite a prior court order for their restoration.
The Supreme Court’s latest ruling stresses Kolubah’s ongoing legal challenges with the House. It also highlights the issue of lawmakers’ rights and the interpretation of legislative procedures. Kolubah’s legal team hailed the ruling as a victory, pointing out that this is the third time he has successfully contested actions by the House, two of which he won.
