LIBERIA: As House Lifts Yekeh’s Suspension, He Insists On Supreme Court Ruling
Amid the lifting of his suspension by his colleagues, District #10 lawmaker, Yekeh Kolubah has outrightly rejected the decision and said the case is at the Supreme Court which he wants to logically conclude at all cost.
The decision to lift the 16-meeting suspension of Representative Kolubah was taken by the plenary of the lower house in session yesterday, Tuesday, July 20, 2021 and mandated the Chief Clerk of the House, Madam Mildred N. Sayon to convey the message to Mr. Kolubah.
“I have the honor, by order of the House of Representatives (IN SESSION), to inform you that your suspension for 16 meetings days, commenced on May 18, 2021, is hereby lifted with immediate effect.
“As a result of the suspension being lifted, all your rights and privileges to receive your salary, benefits including gas and special allowances are hereby restored”, the letter said.
cting to the development, Mr. Kolubah said that he will not honor a letter that has no legal basis and that he will pursue the writ of prohibition he filed with the Supreme Court of Liberia to stop the house from further extending his suspension that had elapsed based on the duration it should last.
Representative Kolubah filed a three count writ of petition, citing gross violation of his fundamental human and constitutional rights and prayed that the apex court intervenes to enforce his rights that have been breached by his colleagues through Speaker Bhofal Chambers. He was able to obtain his plea when the Justice in Chambers, Associate Justice James N. Nagbe, issued a stay order on the House from further extending his suspension.
According to Mr. Kolubah, there is a scheduled sitting at the Supreme Court of Liberia today between the leadership of the House and him and he will seize every opportunity, seek justice through the proper means and not play what he called games by his colleagues.
The three count legal documents filed with the Supreme Court, copies of which are in possession of the ANALYST are that, Petitioner says that the Rules and Procedures of the House of Representatives provides in Rule 2.1 that “daily sessions of the House of Representatives shall be held on Tuesday and Thursday of each week from the hours of 10:00am to 12:00pm and from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at which time roll call and votes are taken, while Mondays and Wednesdays are set aside for Committees meetings and Fridays to be observed for constituency business.”
Petitioner says that he was served a communication dated May 18, 2021 by the Respondent. In the mentioned dated communication, the Petitioner was suspended by Respondent from Plenary Sessions and other legislative functions for a period of 16 meeting days. The communication further says that the suspension takes effect as of May 18, 2021. This is to say, the suspension runs from May 18, 2021 to June 8, 2021.
However, since the expiration of the suspension, the Respondent has failed, refused and neglected to lift up the suspension in keeping with the letter and rules that governs the National Legislature. Petitioner further says that he made attempts to attend session since the suspension days has elapsed, but were approached by the Sergeant-at-Arm who informed Petitioner that by order of the Speaker, the Sergeant-at-arm should ensure that the Petitioner be put out of Plenary Session. Petitioner says as a law-abiding citizen, he has petitioned this forum, the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia to prohibit the action of the Respondent which is contrary to law and cause the Petitioner to attend sessions and other legislative functions to perform Petitioner Constitutional and statutory functions. Petitioner also says that Petitioner salaries and other emoluments being denied Petitioner from the illegal act of the Respondent by giving to Petitioner as his just and legal entitlement.
It can be recalled that Mr. Kolubah was suspended by the plenary of the House of Representatives on May 18, 2021 for what they called continuously insulting President George Manneh Weah, Speaker Bhofal Chambers and other colleagues in the house. He had earlier challenged his suspension at the Supreme Court for being denied due process and was granted his wish with an order to the representatives to accord him all rights and opportunities to defend himself.
However, Mr. Kolubah did not honor the second invitation and a decision was taken to finally suspend him
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