Yekeh Kolubah Strikes Back -Files Bill of Information to Nullify House Actions

MONROVIA – Embattled Montserrado County District #10 Representative, Yekeh Y. Kolubah has formally petitioned the Supreme Court of Liberia to cite the House of Representatives for contempt following what he describes as a “flagrant defiance” of a binding judicial order. Kolubah’s Bill of Information, which the Supreme Court has now set a compulsory hearing for April 28, 2026, is also praying that the court nullifies all actions taken during the period of the court’s stay, including his expulsion, confiscation of vehicles, and closure of his office.
The legal salvo, filed as a Bill of Information before Chambers Justice Yussif D. Kaba, comes just days after the House, under the leadership of Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, proceeded to expel Kolubah on April 17 despite a pending Writ of Prohibition and a scheduled Supreme Court conference set for April 20.
A Direct Challenge to Judicial Authority
At the heart of Kolubah’s filing is a grave accusation: that the Legislature deliberately ignored the authority of the Supreme Court.
Kolubah argues that his April 16 petition which sought a Writ of Prohibition to halt disciplinary proceedings against him, triggered a stay order, effectively freezing any action by the House until the Court could adjudicate the matter. By proceeding with his expulsion, he contends, the House crossed a constitutional red line.
The Bill of Information asserts that such conduct amounts not merely to procedural error, but to “interference with the mandate of the Supreme Court,” invoking long-standing jurisprudence to support his claim.
Legal Foundation: When Does a Bill of Information Lie?
Kolubah’s legal team, led by Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, grounds their argument in established Liberian case law.
They cite the landmark case of Intrusco Corporation v. Firetex Inc. (1984), where the Supreme Court held that a Bill of Information is appropriate when a party disobeys or obstructs a Court mandate. In that instance, a lower court judge was found to have acted improperly by proceeding in defiance of Supreme Court instructions.
Similarly, the 2021 opinion in Kiadii et al. v. Judge E. Jones et al. reaffirmed that the Bill of Information serves as a protective mechanism, a judicial tool designed to preserve the authority and enforceability of Supreme Court decisions.
Kolubah’s filing argues that the House’s actions mirror those precedents: a willful continuation of proceedings despite a clear judicial intervention.
Contempt or Constitutional Crisis?
The remedies sought by Kolubah are sweeping and, if granted, could have far-reaching implications.
According to the Contempt Citation, Kolubah is asking the court to formally declare the House and its leadership in contempt for “flagrant disobedience.”
Kolubah in his petition also prayed for reversal of his expulsion, noting that all actions taken during the period of the court’s stay, including his expulsion, confiscation of vehicles, and closure of his office, should be nullified.
Of equal importance is Kolubah’s request for institutional reprimand. The filing describes the House’s conduct as a “wanton attack” on the integrity of the Supreme Court, exposing it to “public disrepute and ridicule.”
Legal analysts say the language signals more than a personal grievance; it frames the issue as a test of institutional supremacy.
Separation of Powers Under Strain
This case has now evolved beyond Kolubah’s fate. It has become a litmus test for Liberia’s constitutional order.
The doctrine of separation of powers, enshrined in Liberia’s governance framework, requires each branch of government to respect the limits of its authority. While the Legislature has the power to discipline its members, that power is not absolute and remains subject to constitutional safeguards, including due process and judicial review.
By proceeding with the expulsion amid a pending Supreme Court intervention, critics argue the House may have blurred the line between legislative autonomy and judicial supremacy.
The Stakes for Rule of Law
If the Supreme Court rules in Kolubah’s favor, it could reinforce judicial authority as the final arbiter of constitutional disputes; set a precedent limiting legislative actions when judicial review is invoked; and potentially restore Kolubah to his seat, triggering political fallout within the House.
Conversely, if the Court declines to act decisively, it risks emboldening future defiance and weakening public confidence in the Judiciary’s ability to enforce its mandates.
A Nation Watching
For many Liberians, this unfolding drama is not just about one lawmaker; it is about the credibility of democratic institutions.
The Supreme Court Bill of Information now carries heightened significance. What was initially a procedural engagement has become a moment of reckoning, one that could define the balance of power in Liberia’s democracy.
As the legal battle intensifies, one question looms large: Can the authority of the Supreme Court withstand open defiance from a co-equal branch of government?
The answer may shape not only Kolubah’s political future, but the very foundation of justice and constitutional governance in Liberia.