The Majority Bloc members of the House of Representatives have suspended four lawmakers of the Minority Bloc including Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank S. Foko, Bong County District #5 Representative Eugene K. M Kollie, Gbarpolu County District # 1 Representative Zinnah Norman and Sinoe County District #3 Representative Alex Noah.
The decision was taken on Thursday, December 12, 2024 in adherence to the House Rules and Procedures, specifically Rule 48.7(c). The suspension of the lawmakers for thirty session days and the affected lawmakers will forfeit all benefits, including salaries and suspended lawmakers by the majority bloc has increased to seven.
It can be recalled that Representatives Marvin Cole, Abu Kamara, and Edward Papay Flomo faced similar sanctions for alleged infractions, marking a deepening rift within the House of Representatives.
Nimba County District #2 Representative Nyan Flomo filed a motion indicating that suspended lawmakers should not be seen on the grounds of the Capitol Building for the duration of their suspension.
The Speaker of the majority, Richard Nagbe Koon, has stressed the importance of respecting the plenary’s decision and urged the suspended members to adhere strictly to the terms of their suspension.
But speaking with reporters, Representative Eugene Kollie said they will not recognize the suspension because Representative Richard N. Koon is not a speaker.
Representative Kollie alleged that Speaker Koon has written the American Embassy to recognize him as speaker; adding that the embassy declined and sent the letter to the office of embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
For his part, Representative Alex Noah said the majority refused to give Speaker Koffa due process but they are now stating a rule to suspend lawmakers.
In other development, the majority bloc has asked embattled Speaker Koffa for his staff list to process December payments in his capacity as District #2 Representative for Grand Kru County.
