-To Yekeh Kolubah’s Expulsion Resolution
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – Seven of the eight female members of the House of Representatives of the 55th National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia were among the over forty men who signed a resolution that resulted in the expulsion of Montserrado County District Number 10 Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah. The expulsion of Kolubah, a prominent critic of the ruling establishment, marks the first such removal of a lawmaker in post-war Liberia.
The House of Representatives expelled the embattled lawmaker following a vote on Friday, April 17, 2026. The decision came after the House Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration submitted an investigative report that detailed allegations of gross misconduct and violations of the lawmaker’s oath of office but it has met with mixed reactions, drawing both praise and sharp criticism from various sectors of Liberian society.
Female lawmakers, who make up just about nine percent of the House of Representatives membership, showed overwhelming support for the expulsion.
Ninety percent of the female members endorsed the resolution to remove their male colleague from office.
Those who signed the resolution include Bong County District Number 6 Representative Moima Briggs Mensah. Grand Cape Mount County District Number 3 Representative Gbessie Sonni Feika also added her name to the document.
Grand Gedeh County District Number 2 Representative Marie G. Johnson was among the seven female signatories. Lofa County District Number 2 Representative Julie Fatorma Wiah signed the resolution as well. Margibi County District Number 3 Representative Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh joined her female colleagues in supporting the expulsion. Montserrado County District Number 1 Representative Rugie Yatu Barry also signed the resolution.
Montserrado County District Number 5 Representative Prescilla A. Cooper completed the list of female lawmakers who voted for Kolubah’s removal. Just one day before the district number 10 representative was expelled, Bong County District Number 6 Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah made a public declaration regarding her position. Briggs-Mensah declared that Representative Kolubah’s conduct had strengthened her resolve to support efforts toward his removal.
In a statement issued via her official Facebook page, Briggs-Mensah publicly acknowledged a personal friendship with Kolubah. She noted, however, that public duty must always outweigh personal sentiment.
“I am deeply disappointed in the continued display of disrespect toward us, your colleagues,” she said, addressing Kolubah directly. “Such conduct is unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives and falls far below the standards expected of anyone entrusted with public office,” Briggs-Mensah added.
The Bong County lawmaker questioned Kolubah’s repeated claims about the House rules. “Are you suggesting that today is the first time Honourable Kolubah has come to understand the Rules of the House?” she asked. “We are all fully aware of the procedures that govern our work, and each of us must take responsibility for our actions,” Briggs-Mensah stated. She took particular issue with what she described as disrespect from Kolubah’s legal team toward fellow lawmakers.
“Allowing your lawyers, or anyone acting on your behalf, to disrespect fellow lawmakers is unacceptable and undermines the dignity and integrity of this institution,” she added. Briggs-Mensah reminded Kolubah of the privilege of holding public office.
“You occupy a position of great prestige and responsibility, one granted to you by the good people of District Number 10,” she said. “Among many contenders, they chose you and entrusted you with their mandate. Is this how you intend to repay their confidence?” the Bong County lawmaker asked.
In a personal acknowledgment, Briggs-Mensah stated, “You remain my husband and my friend.” “However, when it comes to my constitutional duty as an institutional leader, I will always act in the best interest of my district and my country,” she added. “My responsibility to the people who elected me and to the Republic must, at all times, take precedence over personal relationships,” Briggs-Mensah declared. She added, “Leadership requires impartiality, courage, and a firm commitment to principle above sentiment. This position is not personal property; it is a public trust.”
“It is both sad and troubling to see it treated otherwise. Leadership demands humility, accountability, and respect for colleagues and for the citizens we serve,” Briggs-Mensah said. Citing Kolubah’s recent conduct, she declared, “Your recent conduct has only strengthened my resolve to support efforts toward your removal, based on the manner in which you continue to carry yourself.” “No one in public service is above the law, above scrutiny, or untouchable,” Briggs-Mensah stated. “Your statements have been inappropriate and dismissive, and we cannot continue down this path as leaders of our nation,” she added.
Briggs-Mensah also pivoted to the underlying border dispute between Liberia and Guinea. She warned that unresolved questions surrounding the Liberia-Guinea border must be thoroughly investigated. “Where violations are established, we will not hesitate to recommend appropriate action to the President against those responsible,” she said. “Let us address our own issues first and set the record straight. The Liberian people deserve transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership,” Briggs-Mensah concluded.
Nimba County District Number 2 Representative Nyahn Garsaye Flomo moved the motion that the Committee report be considered, including the recommendation for Representative Kolubah’s expulsion. The motion specifically excluded recommendation number six from the Committee report. That recommendation had suggested that the lawmaker be turned over to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution based on statements he made against the Republic regarding the border dispute between Guinea and Liberia.
The forty-nine representatives who signed the resolution to expel Kolubah came from counties across Liberia. These counties included Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Gee, and Rivercess. The investigative report from the Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration was triggered by complaints filed against Kolubah by Montserrado County District Number 3 Representative Sumo K. Mulbah and others.
Representative Mulbah’s complaint specifically sought the expulsion of Kolubah on allegations of misconduct in office. The complaint also cited violation of his oath of office and violation of the House’s Rules and Procedures. Mulbah further accused Kolubah of consistently bringing the House in particular and the Legislature in general into public disrepute. The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Gregory O. W. Coleman, also raised concerns about national security, public safety, and national stability in connection with Kolubah’s statements.
The matter was formally referred to the Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration on April 9, 2026, during the First Extraordinary Session of the House of Representatives. The Committee was given a mandate to review, analyze, deliberate, and provide recommendations for appropriate legislative actions within a period of ten days. On April 9, 2026, the Committee officially mandated the Acting Chief Clerk of the House to communicate with all parties involved, including the complainants and the respondent.
Invitations were issued for the parties to appear before the Committee on April 13, 2026, in the First-floor Conference Room of the House of Representatives at ten in the morning. A communication was served on Representative Kolubah on April 9, 2026, which he duly received, requiring him to appear before the Committee to face his accusers. When the Committee met on April 13, 2026, Representative Kolubah submitted a written communication requesting a five-day excuse to enable him to adequately inform and consult with his legal counsel in preparation for the proceedings.
The Committee acknowledged the importance of due process, fairness, and the constitutional rights of the respondent to adequate and fair representation.
After consideration, the Committee granted Kolubah two additional business days to prepare for the hearing. During the course of the hearing on April 15, 2026, Kolubah appeared along with his legal team and participated in the proceedings. The legal team requested the Committee to allow them to speak on their client’s behalf and made a submission requesting an additional five business days to prepare their defense.
Specifically, the legal team sought the provision of statements attributed to their client in audio, video, or written form. They also requested the official position of the Government of Liberia as referenced in the citation. The legal team further sought documentation regarding the celebration and dissemination of the statement by Guinean authorities, as well as the House Rules governing the proceedings. The Committee rejected these requests and informed Kolubah that it is the procedure of the House for members to speak for themselves while being guided by their lawyers to ensure that their fundamental rights are protected.
The Committee noted that the hearing was quasi-judicial in nature and intended to satisfy constitutional guarantees of due process.bThe Committee stated that the strict application of rules of evidence as observed in judicial forums ought not to be imposed. Kolubah’s counsel insisted that their requests be honored, and this argument led the Committee Chair to call for a thirty-minute recess. After the recess, the Committee unanimously voted to object to the requests and proceed with the hearing.
At that point, the complainant was accorded the stage to present his case. During this presentation, Kolubah’s legal counsel voluntarily walked out of the hearing.
Shortly after their departure, Representative Kolubah also exited the hearing room. The complainant proceeded to present his case along with pieces of evidence, which were testified to, identified, marked, and admitted into the records of the hearing. Following the presentation of the complainant and the admission of evidence, the witness was cross-examined by Committee members and other members of the House of Representatives.
During the hearing, the complainant further convinced Committee members of the various counts of House Rules and Procedures that had been violated by the accused. The Committee’s report cited Article 38 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia. That article states that each House shall adopt its own rules of procedure, enforce order, and with the concurrence of two-thirds of the entire membership, may expel a member for cause. The report also referenced a historical precedent from October 23, 1998, when the Liberian Senate passed a resolution to expel Senator Sampson Bedell Fahn II from the Senate during the leadership of the late Senate Pro Tempore Charles W. Brumskine.
The Senate had accused Senator Bedell Fahn of engaging in gross misconduct considered by the Senate as desecrating the sanctity of the Liberian Senate. The Senate also accused him of refusing to appear before a Senate Committee after being cited.
The Committee concluded that if the Senate could expel a member for refusing to attend a committee investigative hearing, then stronger action was warranted against Kolubah for walking out of the Committee and continuing to make denigrating statements against the House and other public officials.
The Committee found that Kolubah’s consistent inimical posturing against the House and other public officials required decisive action. The report stated that Kolubah continues to recklessly desecrate the sanctity, prestige, dignity, and authority of the House of Representatives. The report cited specific violations of House Rules, including Rule 11, which requires each member to take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and Laws of the Republic of Liberia.
The report also cited Rule 42.1, which mandates that every member shall at any place keep the prestige and dignity of the House and refrain from undesirable acts.
Representative Kolubah was not present in the chamber when the final vote was taken, as he had exited the premises prior to the decision being announced. Following his expulsion, the embattled lawmaker sharply criticized the action taken against him during an engagement with the media on the grounds of the Capitol building.
He alleged that he had recently been confronted by individuals who demanded that he apologize to the President, whom he has consistently criticized in public statements. According to Kolubah, those who confronted him suggested that an apology was necessary if he truly wished to maintain his position in the legislature. The expelled lawmaker vowed to take legal action against the House of Representatives.
He declared that he would not leave the country despite recommendations from multiple people that he should do so.
Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah was re-elected to his seat in the 2023 general elections after serving his first six-year term as the district’s lawmaker. During the tenure of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change administration, Kolubah was a major critic of the government and its policies. The current administration, which was then in opposition, had previously hailed Kolubah for his vocal criticism of the former ruling party. Kolubah has consistently maintained throughout his political career that his allegiance is to the people of Liberia and not to any single political party.
This assertion was proven when he departed the Alternative National Congress, with which he had been a member. Despite having campaigned strongly for the current administration during the 2023 general elections, the lawmaker later became critical of the government’s performance and decisions. From Bomi County, the male signatories included District One Representative Jahkpakpa Obediah Varney. Bomi County District Two Representative Manah Bishop Johnson also signed the resolution.
Bomi County District Three Representative Sam P. Jallah added his name as well. For the male lawmakers from Bong County, District One Representative Prince K. Koinah signed the document. Bong County District Two Representative James M. Kolleh also added his signature. District Four Representative Robert Womba and District Seven Representative Foday E. Fahnbulleh completed Bong County’s male signatories. Gbarpolu County was represented by District Three Representative Mustapha Waritay.
Grand Bassa County contributed District One Representative Isaac G. Bannie. Grand Bassa County District Two Representative J. Clarence T. Banks also signed. District Four Representative Alfred H. Flomo completed Grand Bassa County’s signatories. Grand Gedeh County representatives included District One Representative Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Senior. District Three Representative Jacob C. Debee II also signed from Grand Gedeh County.
Grand Kru County was represented by District One Representative Nathaniel N. Bahway Senior. Lofa County produced the largest number of signatories among the counties. Lofa County District One Representative Thomas P. Fallah signed the resolution. District Three Representative Momo Siafa Kpoto added his name. District Four Representative Gizzie K. Kollince also signed. District Five Representative Augustine B. Chiewolo completed Lofa County’s signatories.
Margibi County provided District Four Representative Emmanuel Yarh. Maryland County signatories included District One Representative P. Mike Jurry. Maryland County District Two Representative Anthony F. Williams also signed. District Three Representative Austin Blidi Taylor completed Maryland County’s signatories.
Montserrado County, the same county represented by Kolubah, had numerous signatories. District Two Representative Sekou S. Kanneh signed the resolution.
District Three Representative Sumo Kollie Mulbah, who filed the complaint, also added his name.
District Four Representative Michael M. Thomas signed as well. District Seven Representative Emmanuel Dahn added his signature. District Eight Representative Prince A. Toles also signed. District Eleven Representative Richard Nagbe Koon signed the document. District Seventeen Representative Bernard Blue Benson completed Montserrado County’s signatories. Nimba County representatives signing the resolution included District One Representative Samuel N. Brown Senior.
District Two Representative Nyahn Garsaye Flomo, who moved the motion, also signed. District Three Representative Nehker E. Gaye added his name. District Four Representative Ernest M. Manseah Senior also signed. District Five Representative Kortor Kwagrue signed the resolution. District Six Representative Dorwohn Twain Gleekia added his signature. District Eight Representative Saye S. Mianah also signed. District Nine Representative Taa Wongbe completed Nimba County’s signatories.
River Gee County contributed District Two Representative Alexander Poure Isaac B. Choloplay Wuo. District Three Representative Johnson S. N. Williams Senior also signed from River Gee County. Rivercess County was represented by District One Representative Alex J. Grant. District Two Representative Steve Tequah completed the list of signatories from Rivercess County. On Thursday, April 16, 2026, reports emerged that the Supreme Court had intervened in the disciplinary case against Kolubah, ordering a stay of all actions by the House of Representatives.
Associate Justice Yussif D. Kaba, presiding in Chambers, reportedly cited the House leadership to a conference on Monday, April 20, 2026, at two-thirty in the afternoon. The Court’s directive, issued April 16, ordered a halt to all further proceedings or actions in the matter pending the outcome of that conference.
However, the House of Representatives noted on Friday that it did not receive any communication of such nature from the Supreme Court.
A copy of the court communication shows that it was received by Tababo A. Toe-Teh, Computer in the Deputy Clerk office on April 16, 2026. Many Liberians have frowned on the decision, including the Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress, Alexander B. Cummings. Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh also expressed opposition to the expulsion.
Prominent legal scholar and human rights lawyer Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe has also criticized the decision.
For Gongloe, he believes that the decision represents a serious constitutional violation. Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh strongly condemned the House of Representatives’ decision to expel Kolubah. Konneh described the action as a dangerous departure from due process and a threat to Liberia’s democracy.
The Senator made his remarks via his official Facebook page on Friday, April 17, 2026, just hours after the House voted to remove Kolubah.
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon took to social media to offer a legal perspective on the expulsion. Dillon emphasized that any rules adopted by the Legislature must conform to the requirements of due process laid down in the Constitution. Dillon pointed to the last sentence of Article 38 of the Constitution, which he said emphatically states this mandate. He stressed that this is not a choice or a discretion but a binding requirement.
Nimba County District Number 9 Representative Taa Zogbe Kartoe Wongbe acknowledged that he disagrees with Kolubah’s statement regarding the border dispute between Liberia and Guinea. Wongbe described the statement as reckless and irresponsible.
He said he told Kolubah directly about his disagreement with the comments. However, Wongbe emphasized that his disapproval of the statement does not mean he believes the process and the outcome of the expulsion were right, lawful, or in the spirit of good governance.
However, the ruling Unity Party Chairman, Lurther Tarpeh, offered a sharply different perspective on the expulsion over the weekend. Tarpeh said when Kolubah chose to extend this brash political talk to the Guinean unauthorized encroachment on Liberian land in Lofa and spoke with audacity that the land belongs to Guinea, this was not just the usual Yekeh political talk.
Last year, the same House of Representatives through the Majority Bloc removed ex-Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa. Koffa had spent less than two years in the post following a political battle that began in 2024. That battle led to the suspension of several lawmakers by the Majority Bloc.
