CENTAL says it recognizes the right and power of Representatives to remove the Speaker and other elected leaders, but it frowns against reports of alleged bribery.
By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, October 25, 2024: The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has urged members of the House of Representatives to rise above negativity and adopt a positive attitude toward the country’s growth.
CENTAL Executive Director Anderson Miamen made the call on Thursday, October 24, 2024, when he addressed reporters in Sinkor, a suburb of Monrovia.
Mr. Miamen’s call followed reports of alleged bribery to remove House Speaker Fonati Koffa by some aggrieved members of the House of Representatives.
CENTAL said news about some lawmakers receiving huge amounts of state money to remove their colleague as a Speaker of the House is troubling and does not augur well for the country.
“The Legislature must rise above negativities and adopt a more positive attitude and reputation if it must be taken seriously and regarded by citizens and partners as a key and reliable pillar of the country’s democracy and governance process,” Mr. Miamen said.
Maimen argued that individual lawmakers have the responsibility to set high standards and provide leadership and direction for the country.
But he said the wave of allegations of bribery to unseat Speaker Koffa does not help to place lawmakers in a morally upright position to play such very important roles.
The plot to remove Speaker Koffa shocked many Liberians as the crisis intensified early last week.
The anti-Koffa lawmakers said there were 47 members, but that number now stands at 43.
Koffa has 30 lawmakers supporting his leadership, but they lack a quorum to conduct legislative business.
The CENTAL boss said his group recognizes the right and power of Representatives to remove the Speaker and other elected leaders.
“We are deeply troubled by new and sustained allegations of bribery characterizing the process,” said Mr. Miamen.
In a petition read to the media, “majority lawmakers” seeking the removal of Speaker Koffa accused him of bad leadership, corruption, and other misdeeds, including conflict of interest.
The House Speaker stands accused of providing legal consultancy to several public and private institutions, claims he has since rebuffed.
Quite recently in a video widely circulated on social media, Gbarpolu County District #2 Representative Luther Collins was seen displaying cash amounting to 15,000 USD allegedly
received from his colleague, Representative James N. Kolleh of Bong County District #2.
The Gbarpolu lawmaker alleged that the money was provided on behalf of the group of representatives seeking the Speaker’s removal.
According to him, the total bribe involved is 25,000 USD, with an upfront payment of 15,000 USD.
