Amid hullabaloo of U.S. Citizenship amongst contenders of the House of Representatives Speakership race as to who becomes the next Speaker in the upcoming 55th National Legislative election scheduled for Monday, January 15, 2024, one contender in the race, Richard Nagbe Koon of the Unity Party citizenship may be scrutinized by executives of the outgoing ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
Despite the UP quest to question the citizenship Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, its member, Rep. Richard Nagbe Koon has been choked with the issue of United States citizenship, as latest information been released has revealed that the UP contender is also an American and Nigerian citizen.
A local daily in its report disclosed that this latest controversy arises from Koon’s alleged admission of his citizenship at the age of 36, which some believe is a violation of the constitutional requirement that mandates declaration at the age of 23. Legal experts argue that this discrepancy could lead to a delay in the inauguration process if the Speaker’s position remains vacant.
Richard Nagbe Koon, born in Lagos, Nigeria, to a Nigerian mother and Liberian father, has lived a life straddling both nations. Despite permanently moving to Monrovia in 1992, Koon retained allegiance to Nigeria until 2008, according to sources. The revelation that he held both Nigerian and Liberian passports raises questions about the legality of him carrying a Liberian passport after the age of 23, a time when he had not perfected his Liberian citizenship.
Furthermore, Koon is now alleged to be a US citizen. Documents obtained by this paper confirm his move to the US in 2008, where he lived in South Dakota. He obtained US citizenship and has maintained residency there, posing a significant challenge to the legal debate surrounding his Liberian citizenship.
It is alleged that Rep. Koon has a Nigerian Passport. FPA tried reaching Rep. Koon to authenticate whether he has a Nigerian passport but could not get him neither did he return our call.
See below profile
Richard Nagbe Koon born in Lagos, Nigeria, July 27, 1970, to a Nigerian mother and Liberian father. Koon was raised by his Nigerian mother.
Though Koon grew up in both Monrovia and Lagos, between his parents, he moved permanently to Monrovia in 1992. However, he held allegiance to Nigeria up to 2008. Koon also carried both Nigerian and Liberian passports. It is also noted that he attended Lagos States Polytechnic, where he obtained associate degree in accounting in 1992, as a Nigerian citizen.
Citizenship pundits and lawyers are raising debates as to legality of Koon carrying Liberian passport after age 23 at which time he did not perfect his citizenship in Liberia. Also, by the fact Koon carried Nigerian citizenship up age 38, legal scholars have argued that he must have naturalized in Liberia, and pledge allegiance.
In other developing news, Koon is also alleged to be a US citizen. In verifying this information, this paper has discovered that Koon moved to the US in 2008, and lived in South Dakota. He worked and lived in South Dakota, which negates any question about his residency status. Additionally, document in our possession shows that he had obtained US citizenship (noting that Koon has his family in the US and is a regular traveler to the US).
