The Supreme Court of Liberia has ordered an immediate halt to all investigative hearings and decisions by the House of Representatives concerning Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah. This decision comes in light of serious concerns over due process violations and growing legal challenges linked to a controversial legislative hearing that took place the previous day. The ruling, issued on Thursday, followed a tense session before the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, where significant questions were raised regarding legal representation, access to evidence, and procedural fairness in the ongoing disciplinary process against Kolubah.
The Court’s directive was prompted by a Petition for a Writ of Prohibition filed by Kolubah. Associate Justice Yussif D. Kaba ordered an “immediate stay on all further proceedings or actions related to the matter” until the Supreme Court issues a determination. Additionally, the House has been formally summoned to a conference scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., to respond to the petition. The directive was communicated through Supreme Court Clerk Cllr. Sam Mamulu.
The Supreme Court’s intervention follows a heated committee hearing held on Wednesday, during which Kolubah’s legal team reportedly clashed with lawmakers regarding their ability to fully participate in the proceedings. Kolubah’s lawyers, including former Associate Justice Cllr. Kabineh J. Ja’neh and other counsel, requested additional time and access to evidence to adequately prepare a defense. However, the committee granted only limited time, a decision that drew criticism from both observers and lawmakers. During the session, legal representatives faced restrictions on their participation, raising concerns about whether the process adhered to constitutional standards for a fair hearing. Consequently, Kolubah and his lawyers exited the proceedings, arguing that they could not effectively respond without full access to evidence and proper representation.
The Committee relied heavily on written complaints rather than oral testimony, following the discharge of Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman, who had previously submitted a communication regarding the matter. The Court’s action came shortly after Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility formally raised concerns before the Plenary about serious procedural breaches during the hearing. In his communication to the House, Bility, a former chairman of the Rule of Law Caucus, warned that the process being used against Kolubah risked undermining constitutional safeguards. He stated, “In my presence, I witnessed conduct by the Committee that effectively denied Hon. Yekeh Kolubah the opportunity to be properly represented by counsel.” Bility further characterized the handling of legal representation as “a direct assault on the principles of due process and fair hearing.” He also noted that Kolubah was not given adequate notice of evidence or specific charges, and that no clear legal provisions had been identified as the basis for the allegations.
The disciplinary proceedings against Kolubah stem from allegations that he made remarks regarding the Liberia-Guinea border dispute, which complainants argue undermine Liberia’s sovereignty. The complaint was filed by Representative Sumo Mulbah and Inspector General Coleman, prompting the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, chaired by Representative James Kolleh, to initiate hearings. Kolubah is facing a potential expulsion process, one of the most severe disciplinary actions available to the Legislature. His Petition for a Writ of Prohibition names the House of Representatives and senior officials, including Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, the Chief Clerk, and the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Justice Kaba’s stay order effectively halts all legislative proceedings related to the matter until the Supreme Court hears arguments and issues a ruling. House Press Director Robert Haynes has stated that the expulsion of a lawmaker requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Plenary under Article 38 of the Constitution. Central to the legal challenge is Article 20(a) of the 1986 Constitution, which guarantees due process rights, including written notice of charges, disclosure of evidence, adequate time to prepare a defense, and impartial adjudication. All parties have been ordered to appear before the Supreme Court on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. The House remains in Extraordinary Session, although no Plenary date has been set to consider Bility’s complaint or the Court’s directive. As of press time, the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration had not issued an official response to the Supreme Court’s order.
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