Liberia: House Probes Rep. Kolubah Over Controversial Border Statement - FrontPageAfrica

Monrovia – Liberia’s House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Rules, Order and Administration to investigate allegations against Montserrado County Electoral District 10 Representative, Yekeh Y. Kolubah, following two formal communications raising concerns about his recent public statements on the Liberia Guinea border dispute.

By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway

The decision comes after two formal complaints submitted by Montserrado County District 3 Representative, Sumo Mulbah, and Police Inspector General, Gregory O. W. Coleman.

First, Rep. Mulbah in his communication, accuses fellow Montserrado County lawmaker Kolubah of gross breach of duty, misconduct in office, and violation of his oath.

The communication alleges that Kolubah publicly suggested that disputed territory between Liberia and Guinea belongs to Guinea, something which he claims is inconsistent with Liberia’s official position.

Rep Mulbah argues that such statements undermine Liberia’s territorial integrity, weaken its diplomatic standing, and bring the Legislature into disrepute.

The Montserrado lawmaker wrote to crave the indulgence of his colleagues to expel Rep. Kolubah and possibly disqualifies him from holding future public office, in line with Article 62 of the 1986 Constitution.

“Now comes, the Honorable House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia, sitting as a Grand Inquest pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Liberia (1986), and hereby present a request for expulsion of Hon. Yekeh Kolubah, for acts and conduct amounting to Gross Breach of Duty, Misconduct in Office, and Violation of his Oath of Office,” read the communication.

In a separate but related communication, Liberia’s Police Inspector General, Gregory O. W. Coleman, warned that Kolubah’s remarks pose potential risks to national security, public safety, and state stability.

Col. Coleman noted that the statements could inflame tensions in already sensitive border communities and may have been referenced by Guinean actors, thereby complicating Liberia’s diplomatic posture.

The police chief furthers that such comments could contribute to unrest or instability, particularly in regions affected by the territorial dispute, and may approach the threshold of a breach of peace.

“I write with urgency to formally bring to your attention a matter that raises serious concern for national security, public safety, and the stability of the Republic,” stated the police boss in his communication.

“Recent public statements attributed to Hon. Yekeh Kolubah, asserting, without any verified legal, diplomatic, or treaty basis, that territory currently under contention between the Republic of Liberia and the Republic of Guinea belongs to Guinea, have generated significant concern at both the domestic and international levels.”

Following deliberations, plenary took a decision to forward both matters of the same nature to its Committee on Rules Order and Administration to report back to full plenary sitting within the special session.

The decision was predicated upon a motion proffered by Montserrado County Electoral District 4 Representative, Michael Thomas.

The outcome of the probe could determine whether formal expulsion proceedings could be initiated against Rep. Kolubah.

Meanwhile, Rep. Kolubah has alleged that the entire process to have him expelled from the House is being masterminded by Deputy Speaker, Thomas P. Fallah.

Rep. Kolubah, who vowed to be relentless in speaking out ills in society, and particularly at the Legislature, said he’s undeterred about whatever expulsion or suspension threat.

“Just continue to spread money around. Fallah, you think you can remove me? You can never take me from here. You think I don’t know your plan? Oh, you think you will close my mouth? You are a joker. I will continue speaking until the right things are done in here,” Rep. Kolubah threw out a challenge.

But despite this, speculation is high within the corridor of the House that the expulsion is most likely as the matter has the peak for the decision only waiting for formalities leading for such move.