The battle to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa from his position has reached a boiling point as newly uncovered documents reveal unprecedented financial mismanagement at the National Legislature. Koffa, the first-ranking legislator in the country, has been accused of recruiting 479 individuals onto the House’s supplementary payroll, a move that is costing the government over $169,000 every month.
This revelation has fueled accusations of massive corruption, misuse of power, and conflicts of interest. A majority bloc of lawmakers has called for a vote of no confidence in Koffa, citing concerns over his leadership and management of public funds.
The document shows that the Speaker has overseen the recruitment of staff at varying salary levels, ranging from US$250 per month for cleaners to US$2,500 for deputy controllers. Notably, some members of the legislature claim that a significant number of these recruits are not even working in the House, with several names on the payroll reportedly being “ghost names” and journalists, like Winston Blyden from Bana F.M. who is receiving US$ 490 monthly.
One lawmaker at the center of the controversy is Representative Malvin Cole of Bong County’s District #3, who is said to have recruited over 200 staff members out of the more than 400 hired by Koffa. Sources suggest that Cole is actively defending Koffa’s leadership to protect his own interests and the patronage network he has built within the Legislature.
The magnitude of Koffa’s recruitment, described as “unprecedented,” has never before been seen in the history of the House of Representatives. The move has sparked fierce criticism from many members, including Koffa’s own Deputy Speaker, Thomas P. Fallah of Lofa County’s District #1, who has seen reason to join the Majority bloc to remove Koffa from office.
The call for Koffa’s removal is not new. The Speaker’s tenure has been marred by allegations of budget manipulation dating back to his time as Deputy Speaker during the 54th Legislature. Koffa is being accused of illegally reallocating millions of dollars from other agencies into his office’s budget, a practice that has raised questions about his financial integrity.
The latest demands for Koffa’s ouster come after more than 40 members of the House of Representatives signed a resolution citing serious financial discrepancies during his tenure. Specifically, lawmakers allege that Koffa received far more than the approved budget for his office. In 2022, while the Legislature allocated $1.5 million for Koffa’s office, he reportedly collected $5.6 million by the end of that fiscal year. Similarly, in 2023, he allegedly received $4.1 million—more than three times the approved amount of $1.1 million.
Together, the total funds allocated for Koffa’s office during these two years amounted to $2.6 million. However, the total funds he allegedly received amounted to $9.7 million—an excess of $7 million, prompting serious concerns over financial misconduct.
Lawmakers are now calling for an independent investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to examine the discrepancies and alleged violations of the Budget Transfer Act of 2008. They argue that these practices undermine the integrity of the House of Representatives and its credibility in the fight against corruption.
In addition to financial misconduct, Koffa is accused of multiple conflicts of interest. Lawmakers allege that the Speaker continues to serve as a lead consultant and lawyer for several government agencies and private entities, including the Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation, the Liberia Maritime Authority, and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority. These organizations fall under the oversight of the House of Representatives, creating potential conflicts with his legislative duties.
As tensions continue to escalate, eyes are on the upcoming days to determine the future of Speaker Koffa’s leadership. Koffa’s tenure could mark a turning point in Liberia’s ongoing battle against corruption in government institutions.
