Africa-Press – Liberia. The House of Representatives has approved a request from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to investigate three of its members over allegations of bribery.
The decision was reached during the sixth day sitting of the second quarter of the 55th Legislature after the LACC, through a communication, requested the House’s cooperation to question three unnamed lawmakers.
The commission stated that the investigation centers around allegations of bribery intended to influence the ousting of former Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
According to the LACC’s correspondence, the investigation is based on complaints submitted by the Civil Society Working Group of Liberia and a formal letter from Representative Luther Collins of Gbarpolu County District 2, dated October 17 and 21, 2024.
The complaints allege that certain lawmakers accepted bribes to facilitate Koffa’s removal from the speakership.
“In view of the above, the Commission has decided to invite a few members of the House of Representatives, who are key persons of interest for investigation so as to establish the validity of the allegation levied above,” the LACC communication stated.
The Commission noted that the investigation had initially been delayed due to internal leadership disputes within the House, but with those issues now resolved, it is requesting full cooperation to proceed with its probe.
Following the reading of the LACC’s letter, a motion was put forth by Representative P. Mike Jury of Maryland County District 1, calling on the House to fully cooperate with the LACC in the spirit of transparency and accountability.
He emphasized the importance of institutional integrity, urging lawmakers to allow the anti-graft body to carry out its duties without obstruction.
“In the spirit of coordination, I move that this Honorable House cooperate to allow the LACC to investigate its members on the alleged bribery reported to it by the Honorable Gentleman Luther Sandy Collins on October 17, 2024,” said Rep. Jury.
However, the motion was met with resistance. Some lawmakers expressed unease over the implications of the investigation and questioned the procedure.
Representative James Kolleh of Bong County District 2 requested that the motion be subjected to a plenary vote so it could serve as a formal precedence for future matters of similar nature.
Nimba County District 7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility openly challenged the legitimacy of the LACC’s request, arguing that the Commission’s communication violated legal norms.
Though he did not specify which law was allegedly breached, Rep. Bility claimed the LACC’s approach was unconstitutional and accused it of attempting to manipulate legislative processes.
“We need to be careful. The LACC is creating a trap for us. The LACC letter is presenting us to the Liberian people as though we must agree before they can investigate. No one has refused to cooperate. This is a serious violation,” said Rep. Bility.
Rep. Bility’s remarks sparked heated exchanges among lawmakers, further deepening the divide between two factions within the House — a bloc loyal to former Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, and those allied with the new leadership under Speaker Richard Koon.
Caught in the middle of the dispute, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah presided over the session and entered the debate, a departure from the norm where presiding officers typically maintain neutrality.
Deputy Speaker Fallah defended the LACC’s right to conduct the investigation, noting that it was the House itself that referred the matter to the Commission.
“Political Leader, I learn that this issue was taken to the LACC by this body. It was not the LACC that came to look for a case. They are only asking for your cooperation because you took your matter to them,” Deputy Speaker Fallah said.
He went further to suggest that the House must prepare for deeper scrutiny of its activities, including a possible audit. “Inasmuch you went there, continue going there, let them investigate. From there, we are getting to the audit—audit of the House of Representatives. Small, small, we are getting there. From LACC we are going to GAC [General Auditing Commission]. That’s what you pray for,” Deputy Speaker Fallah added, gaveling the matter to a close.
As the LACC prepares to begin questioning, many lawmakers remain on edge, with the potential implications of the investigation threatening to shake the foundation of the legislative body.
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