Tyler runs to Supreme Court

Embattled House Speaker Alex Tyler is said to have run before the full bench of the Supreme Court seeking some legal intervention to save his job and prevent what he calls illegal sessions taking place at the Capitol.

His action comes amidst information reaching this paper that the ground of the Capitol Building, official home of the Liberian Legislature is expected to be tense today, August 16, with series of demonstrations.

Speaking to this paper via mobile phone Monday, 15 August Nimba County Representative Sawyah Worlea Dunah claimed he has credible report the Pro-Tyler bloc has recruited ex-combatants from Wood Camp in Paynesville and Bomi County to storm the capitol in support of Speaker Tyler, but the office of the Speaker has dismissed the claim as untrue.

Speaker Tyler has run to the Supreme Court to seek injunction on what he termed ‘illegal session’ conducted last Thursday by those campaigning for his recusal. Two separate sessions were held at the Capitol Building last week with the pro-Tyler group using the regular chambers, while the anti-Tyler bloc convened in the William Richard Tolbert Joint Chambers.

However, Rep. Dunah said it is unfortunate that the Speaker of the House would engage in unorthodox actions which may bring the credibility of the first branch of government to public disrepute.

He further alleged Speaker Tyler is producing Identification Cards to enable protestors have access to the Capitol. He also told this paper the anti-Tyler bloc, to which he belongs, will today set up a special committee to probe complaint about the Speaker carrying ‘thugs’ on the grounds of Capitol Building during last Thursday’s sitting.

He said the committee is expected to thoroughly probe Tyler for grossly putting the lives of fellow lawmakers and government’s properties at risk.  Meanwhile, a group of young people from Montserrado County Electoral District #8 are expected to gather at the Capitol Building today to demand both anti-Tyler and pro-Tyler blocs to do the Liberian people’s job or the impending 2017 Legislative race will be used to decide their political future.

Speaking on a local radio station yesterday, the spokesman for the group Edward Padmore said they are mobilizing about 500 young people to protest against the current political crisis at the Capitol Building.

Speaker Tyler in a worrisome mood appeared on the grounds of the Capitol Building with the anticipation of presiding over the full session of the lower house but, apparently to his dismay, the aggrieved lawmakers under the guidance of Deputy House Speaker Hans Barchue convened in the William Richard Tolbert joint chambers to conduct what they termed “normal business of the House of Representatives.”

The aggrieved lawmakers stated their session with Christian prayer, following which the body appointed Rudolph Hill as acting Chief Clark since the elected Chief Clark, Madam Mildred Siryon was in the official chambers of the lower house with the Tyler’s bloc.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Editing by Jonathan Browne