MONROVIA – Since last week when the Supreme Court placed a stay order on all actions and proceedings of the National Legislature that bore questionable constitutional implications, Liberians were expectantly waiting yesterday to see whether the conflicted legislators would have obeyed the Supreme Court’s status quo ante mandate. Surprisingly, however, the Majority Bloc on Tuesday decided to add fuel to fire by defying the high court’s Stay Order when they held a separate session in the Joint Chambers of the Legislature where Montserrado County District # 11 lawmaker Richard Koon presided as Speaker, and issued a dire warning to the suspended pro-Koffa lawmakers: “We want to send a caveat to them that they should understand that plenary took a decision to suspend them. According to the Plenary decision, they should not be seen anywhere on the premises. We noticed that they are still causing chaos in this vicinity. Let them be warned that if any of them go against our decision, it will be deadly for them!”
Surprisingly, the occasion was conspicuously overshadowed by the unexplained absence of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah who had presided last week over the election and induction into office of Richard Koon as Speaker, replacing Representative Jonathan Fonati Koffa as Speaker without a due process.
The Opposing Blocs’ Entry amid calm atmosphere
Prior to the entry of the two opposing sides on the grounds of the Capitol Building, state security had already cordoned the entrance of the building, apparently in a bid to curtail riots from supporters of the two blocs.
And by the early morning hours, siren from Speaker Koffa’s convoy could be heard wailing into the grounds of the Capitol Building, as Montserrado District # 9 Representative Frank Saah Foko dismounted in a jubilant mood to address the media. “We have won. These guys must respect the laws of this land, and this time, it’s going to be different,” Rep. Foko said as he strolled cockily into the Capitol Building, surrounded by a huge number of staffers of the House of Representatives who seemed pro-Koffa.
“I am happy that the law has spoken. And what the law said, it is expected that we all should respect the law. Now, the law has asked us to go back to status quo ante. Whatever the situation is, whatever the law comes up with, if the law demands that I, Frank Saah Foko did such and such, I am under legal and moral obligation to do what the law says, he intoned philosophically.
Sporting a winsome smile, Speaker Koffa could be seen flanked by a tight security detail, as he dismounted from his official vehicle and walked majestically with exuberant confidence to his office, accompanied by battle cries from his staffers.
Among the pro-Koffa lawmakers making a triumphant entry into the grounds of the Capitol Building, Representative Dickson W. Seboe was seen winsomely grinning from ear to ear, projecting the stature of someone who cared less about the Majority Bloc’s decision to suspend him as Chairman of the House Ways, Means, and Finance Committee.
The Majority Bloc legislators for their part entered the Capitol Building in a rather somber mood, heavily guarded by state security, making their way straight into Joint Chamber of the Capitol Building where they immediately commenced business under the gavel of the bloc’s elected Speaker Richard Koon who did not mince any words as he threatened to use deadly force in dealing with the three suspended lawmakers once they continued to enter the premises of the Capitol Building.
“We want to send a warning to them that they should understand that the plenary took a decision to suspend them. According to the Plenary decision, they should not be seen anywhere on the premises. We noticed that they are still causing chaos in this vicinity. Let them be warned that if any of them go against our decision, it will be deadly for them!” Representative Koon threatened.
Supreme Court Proceedings
At the Supreme Court, our legislative reporter said legal teams from the Majority and Minority Blocs, as well as the Minister of Justice, filed their official returns in line with the Supreme Court Stay Order Writ issued November 22, 2024.
All concerned parties are expected to be at the Supreme Court today for hearing into the Stay Order Writ.
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