Africa-Press – Liberia. In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Legislature and the Judiciary, the House of Representatives on Friday voted overwhelmingly to expel Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah—a move taken in direct defiance of an active stay order issued by the Supreme Court just a day earlier.
The House voted 50–0 to remove Kolubah from office, with the resolution carrying 49 signatures, precisely meeting the two-thirds majority required under Article 38 of the 1986 Constitution to expel a sitting lawmaker.
The vote came just one day after Associate Justice Yussif D. Kaba issued a formal citation ordering “an immediate stay on all further proceedings or actions related to the matter” pending a conference scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
A stay order, by definition, requires all actions to stop. The House, however, proceeded with the expulsion despite the Court’s directive. The order followed a Petition for a Writ of Prohibition filed by Kolubah, seeking to halt the legislative process on grounds of alleged due process violations.
The citation, signed by Supreme Court Clerk Sam Mamulu, named Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, the Chief Clerk, and the Sergeant-at-Arms, and bore the official seal of the Republic.
No subsequent ruling lifted the stay, and no authorization was granted for the House to proceed, raising serious constitutional concerns about the legality of the action. Legal observers warn that the decision could trigger a significant institutional clash between the Judiciary and the Legislature.
Prominent Liberian lawyer Tiawan Saye Gongloe said the Supreme Court now faces critical choices, including voiding the expulsion as illegal, holding House leadership in contempt, or ordering Kolubah’s reinstatement pending a proper hearing that satisfies due process.
The House has been cited to appear before Justice Kaba on Monday, setting the stage for a potentially defining legal confrontation.
The expulsion followed an investigation by the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, which acted on complaints filed by Montserrado County District #3 Representative Sumo K. Mulbah and Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman.
The allegations included gross misconduct, violation of oath of office, breaches of House rules, and conduct deemed to have brought the Legislature into public disrepute, along with concerns related to national security and stability.
Kolubah was formally notified on April 9, 2026, to appear before the Committee on April 13. He acknowledged receipt but requested five days to consult with his legal counsel. The Committee granted him two additional business days, citing the importance of balancing fairness with procedural efficiency.
Tensions escalated during the April 15 hearing when Kolubah appeared with his legal team, which requested additional time and access to key materials, including statements attributed to their client and the House’s governing rules.
The Committee rejected the request, maintaining that members must speak for themselves while being guided by counsel, and that the quasi-judicial nature of the hearing did not require strict adherence to formal evidentiary standards.
Following a heated exchange and a brief recess, the Committee voted to proceed with the hearing. In protest, Kolubah’s legal team walked out, and he followed shortly thereafter. The Committee continued in their absence, hearing testimony, admitting evidence, and concluding that Kolubah had violated multiple provisions of the House’s rules and procedures.
In its report, the Committee argued that the Constitution empowers the Legislature to discipline its members, including expulsion for cause with a two-thirds majority. It cited Rule 42.1, which requires lawmakers to uphold the dignity and prestige of the House, and concluded that Kolubah’s conduct had consistently undermined the institution.
The report also referenced the 1998 expulsion of Senator Sampson Bedell Fahn II as precedent, asserting that refusal to cooperate with legislative proceedings warrants decisive action.
The Committee further recommended that, following his expulsion, Kolubah be turned over to the Ministry of Justice for possible prosecution, citing statements he allegedly made concerning the Liberia-Guinea border dispute.
Friday’s vote drew support from 50 lawmakers, including Speaker Koon, Deputy Speaker Fallah, members of the majority bloc, and a few members of the minority caucus. The decision has sparked intense debate, with critics questioning whether the move constitutes political persecution and supporters insisting it represents a lawful exercise of legislative authority.
Meanwhile, below is the full list of 50 lawmakers who expelled Representative Kolubah
Speaker Koon, Deputy Speaker Fallah and entire House leader signed the resolution for expulsion of Rep. Yekeh Kolubah; including all the members of the majority bloc and very few members of the minority bloc (aka Rule of Law Caucus)
Bomi County
1)Jahkpakpa Obediah Varney — District 1
2)Manah Bishop Johnson — District 2
3) Sam P. Jallah — District 3
Bong County
4)Prince K. Koinah — District 1
5)James M. Kolleh — District 2
6)Robert Womba — District 4
7Moima Briggs Mensah — District 6
8)Foday E. Fahnbulleh — District 7
Gbarpolu County
9) Mustapha Waritay — District 3
Grand Bassa County
10) Isaac G. Bannie — District 1
11)J. Clarence T. Banks — District 2
13)Alfred H. Flomo — District 4
Grand Cape Mount County
14) Gbessie Sonni Feika — District 3
Grand Gedeh County
15) Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Sr. — District 1
16) Marie G. Johnson — District 2
17)Jacob C. Debee II — District 3
Grand Kru County
18) Nathaniel N. Bahway Sr. — District 1
Lofa County
19) Thomas P. Fallah — District 1
20) Julie Fatorma Wiah — District 2
21)Momo Siafa Kpoto — District 3
22)Gizzie K. Kollince — District 4
23)Augustine B. Chiewolo — District 5
Margibi County
24) Ivar K. Jones — District 2
25)Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh — District 3
26)Emmanuel Yarh — District 4
Maryland County
27) P. Mike Jurry — District 1
28)Anthony F. Williams — District 2
29) Austin Blidi Taylor — District 3
Montserrado County
30)Rugie Yatu Barry — District 1
31) Sekou S. Kanneh — District 2
32)Sumo Kollie Mulbah — District 3
33)Michael M. Thomas — District 4
34) Prescilla A. Cooper — District 5
35)Emmanuel Dahn — District 7
36)Prince A. Toles — District 8
37) Richard Nagbe Koon — District 11
Nimba County
38)Samuel N. Brown Sr. — District 1
39) Nyahn Garsaye Flomo — District 2
40) Nehker E. Gaye — District 3
41) Ernest M. Manseah Sr. — District 4
42) Kortor Kwagrue — District 5
43) Dorwohn Twain Gleekia — District 6
44) Saye S. Mianah — District 8
45)Taa Wongbe — District 9
River Gee County
46)Alexander Poure
47)Isaac B. Choloplay Wuo — District 2
48)Johnson S. N. Williams Sr. — District 3
Rivercess County
49)Alex J. Grant — District 1
50)Steve Tequah — District 2
With the Supreme Court conference looming, the legality of Kolubah’s expulsion now hangs in the balance. The Court’s next move could determine not only his political fate but also set a far-reaching precedent for the separation of powers and the rule of law in Liberia.
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