The Supreme Court of Liberia has summoned Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan and House Comptroller Emmanuel Kopi to address issues raised by suspended lawmakers regarding salary freezes. These lawmakers argue that their suspension and the withholding of their pay are unconstitutional. A response to the lawsuit is due by March 10, 2025, as the outcome holds significant implications for Liberia’s governance.
In a recent development, Justice Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson of the Supreme Court of Liberia has summoned Minister of Finance Augustine Ngafuan and House Comptroller Emmanuel Kopi. This summons is in response to a petition from suspended lawmakers whose salaries have been frozen since October 2024. The lawmakers argue that their suspension and the withholding of their salaries violate both the Liberian Constitution and existing financial management laws.
The petition involves lawmakers Abu Kamara, Marvin Cole, Frank Saah FoKo, Edward Papee Flomo, Alex Sunnyboy Noah, and Eugene Kollie, all of whom assert that the actions of the Majority Bloc led by Speaker Richard Koon were beyond their legal authority. They specifically contend that these decisions were made without the constitutionally elected Speaker, Fonati Koffa, present, rendering them ultra vires.
Furthermore, the petitioners reference a Supreme Court ruling establishing that actions taken by the Majority Bloc under such circumstances are invalid. Despite this ruling, the delayed release of their withheld salaries by the Minister of Finance and the Comptroller is viewed by the lawmakers as a breach of their constitutional and statutory rights. They state, “The withholding of our salaries is a blatant violation of the constitutional principles that guarantee due process and fairness.”, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the government’s financial integrity.
Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbessay, in recent remarks, reiterated that all actions by the Majority Bloc are illegal in the absence of the constitutionally elected Speaker’s participation, thereby strengthening the position of the minority bloc. The Ministry of Finance and the Comptroller are required to respond to the lawsuit by March 10, 2025, to justify why the writ of mandamus should not be enforced.
The outcome of this legal case is expected to carry significant weight regarding the governance and constitutional stability of Liberia, especially amidst the ongoing power struggle within the House of Representatives.
The Supreme Court’s actions regarding the petition from suspended lawmakers highlight the complexities of governance in Liberia. The suspended legislators assert that their constitutional rights have been violated through unlawful suspension and salary withholding. As the Minister of Finance and House Comptroller prepare their defense, the resolution of this case could have far-reaching implications for the country’s political framework.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
