Mixed Opinions: Concern Mounts As House Fails To Notify NEC Over Vacant Seat Following Rep. Kolubah’s Controversial Expulsion - FrontPageAfrica

CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – More than 30 days after the controversial expulsion of former Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah, the House of Representatives has yet to formally notify the National Elections Commission (NEC) of a vacancy, sparking growing legal and political debate over whether the Legislature has violated the Constitution.

By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway, Emmanuel.weedeeconway@frontpageafrcaonline.com

The House voted to expel Kolubah on April 17, 2026, after securing the constitutionally required 49 votes to remove a sitting lawmaker. The decision followed allegations of gross breach of duty, misconduct in office, and violation of oath, stemming from complaints filed by Montserrado County District #3 Representative Sumo Mulbah and Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman.

However, the expulsion immediately became mired in controversy after the House proceeded with the vote despite a court prohibition ordering lawmakers to halt any action against Kolubah pending judicial review.

While the court maintains that the House was served with the stay order, the Deputy Chief Clerk of the House reportedly argued that no such notice was received before lawmakers proceeded with the expulsion process.

Constitutional Questions

The House’s failure to notify the NEC within 30 days, as required under Article 37 of the 1986 Constitution, has now become the latest source of contention.

Article 37 provides that whenever a vacancy occurs in the Legislature due to death, resignation, expulsion, or otherwise, the presiding officer must notify the NEC within 30 days so that a by-election can be organized within 90 days.

Critics argue that the constitutional language is clear and does not provide exceptions for legislative breaks or holidays.

“The refusal of the House of Representatives to declare Hon. Yekeh Kolubah’s seat vacant within 30 days after they claimed to have expelled him is a clear indication that their action was illegal,” said Mohammed Barrie, a resident of District #10.

“It has not been announced that the National Elections Commission has been informed of a vacancy. To me, it’s a sign of defeat, and Yekeh remains a lawmaker.”

Another constituent, Issac Mongar, said the House continues to violate the same Constitution it accused Kolubah of breaching.

“The House decided to expel Hon. Yekeh Kolubah illegally. They ignored his right to due process,” Mongar said. “There is no reason the Speaker has failed to notify NEC if they truly believe he has been expelled.”

NEC Yet to Receive Notice

Speaking to FrontPage Africa, NEC Director of Communications, Titus Tokpa said, to the best of his knowledge, the Elections Commission has not received any formal communication from the House declaring a vacancy.

“The House of Representatives has not informed NEC about any vacancy, not to my knowledge,” Tokpa said.

House Officials Tight-Lipped

Efforts to obtain clarity from House leadership yielded little response.

Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon’s Media Advisor, V. Vehzelee Sumo, said he was unaware of whether NEC had been notified, noting that official communications are handled through the Office of the Chief Clerk and the Press Bureau.

Meanwhile, House Press Director Robert Haynes declined to directly address the issue. Haynes argued during an exchange with FrontPage Africa that Kolubah’s expulsion occurred on April 22 and not April 17, but later abruptly ended the conversation.

Legal Opinions Divided

The House’s delay has generated mixed interpretations among legal experts.

Cllr. Samwar Fallah, a member of the Nimba Bar Association, argued that the House may still have legal room to act because lawmakers are currently on agricultural break.

“The Constitution says within 30 days. But legally, today is the 18th,” Fallah explained. “There have been holidays, and since the House is on break, it should not be much of a legal violation.”

According to him, the framers of the Constitution likely intended the timeline to apply during regular legislative sessions.

“A valid legal argument could be that the House is not at work, so the 30 days stop tolling during the break,” he added.

Still, critics counter that the Constitution makes no distinction between legislative sessions and recess periods.

Political and Representation Concerns

Beyond the legal arguments, residents of District #10 fear they could remain without effective representation if the impasse continues.

Political observers say the prolonged uncertainty also risks deepening tensions around an already divisive expulsion that many opposition figures view as politically motivated.

Among the loudest critics is Bong County Representative Josiah Marvin Cole, who accused the Executive Branch of interfering with the judicial process surrounding Kolubah’s appeal before the Supreme Court.

Cole urged Justice-in-Chambers Yusif D. Kaba to resist political pressure and uphold judicial independence.

“I believe strongly that what the Justice-in-Chambers is faced with right now is political interference,” Cole said, while warning against what he described as growing encroachment on the separation of powers.

Kolubah himself has vowed political retaliation against lawmakers who supported his expulsion, pledging to campaign against several former allies ahead of future elections. His supporters are optimistic that the Supreme Court will declare his expulsion illegal and call on the House to return to the status quo ante.

However, the anti-Kolubah group says the House could still formally notify the National Elections Commission that District #10 is vacant. If that happens, NEC would begin preparations for a by-election as required under Article 37 of the Constitution.

Observers say that move, however, could intensify the legal battle because Kolubah’s and his supporters would likely argue that the House acted while the matter remains before the Supreme Court.