'I Will Stay Away from Legislative Sessions'

A proceedings that was intended for Associate Justice Joseph Nagbe, the Chamber Justice of the Supreme Court, to decide whether the majority members of the House of Representatives were in compliance with the law to suspend District#10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah did not materialize as scheduled.

Wednesday's deliberation did not take place because of a request by the lawyers representing the House of Representatives that they were not prepared to proceed with the proceedings.

The proceedings was necessitated when Rep. Kolubah, through his lawyers, filed a writ of prohibition to the Supreme Court terming the House’s decision as illegal, which led to Justice Nagbe placing a stay order on the House of Representatives pending the outcome of his decision.

In his petition, Rep Kolubah prayed Justice Nagbe to issue the appropriate writ to stop the illegal act of the Respondent, adding, “Grant all that seem legal, just and equitable.”

Minutes after Justice Nagbe postponed the proceedings due to the request by the House of Representatives legal team, Rep. Kolubah, in an interview with journalists outside the Temple of Justice, said he is a law-abiding citizen and  as such, he will never go to his office at the Capitol building, while his compliant was still pending before Justice Nagbe.

."I have resolved to stay from sessions and my office until the matter can be resolved legally and my legal rights are restored by the Supreme Court," Rep. Kolubah disclosed.

According to the district#10, Representative, he is not prepared for any negotiation with his colleagues besides a decision from the Supreme Court, confidently expressing, "A decision that I am going to win."

It can be recalled that Rep. Kolubah was suspended by the House for 30 days sitting (about four months) by Plenary, the highest decision-making body of the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 25, 2021 without salaries, allowances and benefits for what the House termed as Rep. Kolubah’s constant habit of raining insults on President George Weah, the Speaker and some of his colleagues within the confines of the Legislature. His alleged action, Plenary said, was in gross violation of the House’s Rules.

The decision was triggered by a communication written by Rep. Thomas Fallah, Montserrado County District 5 Representative, asking that august body to take action against their colleague for his unruly behavior. Plenary then voted in favor of the 30-day sitting suspension.

Further, Rep. Kolubah explained that he  received a Letter from the Respondent (House of Representatives) under the signature of Mildred N. Sayon, Chief Clerk, indicating that he is suspended by the Honorable House of Representatives for 30 days of meeting/session of the Honorable House beginning Tuesday, April 13, 2021 without salaries, allowances and immunities,” he informs the Chambers Justice.

He argues that Article 20 (a) of the Constitution says “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the person, property, privilege or any other right except as the outcome of a hearing judgment consistent with the provisions laid down in this Constitution and in accordance with due process of law.”

However, the House has also argued that its standing rules and order compel the members to take actions against any member whose conduct impedes or obstructs legislative processes.