ADNews-Monrovia: The removal of embattled speaker, J. Fonati Koffa intensified as he lacked a quorum for the second time while the majority bloc held its second session earlier Thursday morning October 24in the joint chamber.
The majority bloc seeking to remove the Speaker 43 in number held their well-attended session while 30 lawmakers loyal to Koffa adjourned their session for lack of quorum that could enable them to discuss the Liberia people’s business.
The Koffa removal saga began when the lawmakers accused the 55th National Legislative Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa of massive corruption, conflict of interest, and misuse of power under the integrity of the House.
Among several other accusations, the majority bloc pointed out the Speaker manipulated the budget allocated for his office during his tenure as Deputy Speaker in the 54 Legislature prior to his hegemony as a Speaker of the 55 National Legislature.
According to them, Koffa as Deputy Speaker received far more than the budgeted amount for his office. In 2022, the Legislature approved $1.5 million for Fonati as Deputy Speaker, but Koffa reportedly collected $5.6 million by the end of that fiscal year.
Similarly, in 2023, $1.1 million was approved by the national Legislature, yet Koffa allegedly obtained $4.1 million for himself.
Over the two fiscal years, the Deputy Speaker’s office was allotted $2.6 million, but the total received amounted to $9.7 million—an excess of over $7 million he used which was not allotted to him.
The lawmakers are calling on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to conduct an impartial investigation into the financial transactions during Koffa’s tenure, claiming the discrepancies are a violation of the “Budget Transfer Act of 2008”
They argue that such practices undermine the credibility of the House of Representatives in its efforts to combat corruption.
In addition to financial misconduct, the lawmakers accuse Koffa of multiple conflicts of interest.
They allege that he continues to serve as a lead consultant and lawyer for various government agencies, concessions, and private companies, including the Liberia Petroleum and Refining Corporation, Liberia Maritime Authority, National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, and others—entities that fall under the House’s oversight.
These roles, they claim, breach the House’s conflict of interest rules.
The House’s Rule 45.1 requires members to withdraw from matters in which they or their close relatives have an interest, while Rule 45.2 prohibits members from engaging in occupations incompatible with their responsibilities. The lawmakers argue that Koffa’s dual roles violate these rules and tarnish the prestige of the House.
The 47 lawmakers signing the resolution also accuse Koffa of manipulating Liberia’s representation in the ECOWAS Parliament. They claim that on February 7, 2024, Koffa submitted a list of representatives to the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament without conducting the required election, misleading the regional body.
The lawmakers allegedly Koffa overspent his office’s budget by millions, engaging in suspicious financial transactions and violating Liberia’s financial management laws.
Lawmakers also highlight Koffa’s past embezzlement conviction, claiming it undermines his credibility and the integrity of the House.
Speaker Koffa, currently out of Liberia, has yet to respond to the allegations. His removal resolution and the call for an immediate audit have heightened tensions in the House of Representatives, raising concerns over governance, transparency, and leadership accountability in Liberia’s legislative body.
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