Monrovia – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has confirmed the launch of an investigation into allegations of bribery within the House of Representatives, following the leak of an audio suggesting lawmakers were bribed to sign a resolution calling for the removal of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Last week, the House of Representatives was thrown into turmoil when a group of lawmakers signed a resolution to oust Speaker Koffa, who was abroad on an international trip with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. The situation escalated when Rep. Luther Collins (District #2, Gbarpolu County) revealed that lawmakers had been bribed to support the resolution.
Rep. Collins admitted that he and other lawmakers had accepted US$25,000 each to back the move, with US$15,000 paid upfront. In a video, Collins displayed a large sum of cash, claiming his intention was to expose the bribery scheme rather than participate in removing the Speaker.
During the video, an aide referred to the anti-Koffa lawmakers as “rebels,” further alleging that the plot was orchestrated by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Vice President Jeremiah Koung, both of whom reportedly opposed an audit initiated by Speaker Koffa. The Vice President’s office has yet to respond to the allegation, while Deputy Speaker Fallah denied any involvement, asserting he had no intention of unseating the Speaker.
A second video surfaced, showing Rep. Collins in a conversation with another lawmaker, believed to be Rep. Clarence Gahr (District #5, Margibi County). In the recording, Rep. Gahr can be heard encouraging Collins to support the plot to remove the Speaker. Gahr, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, asked Collins whether he preferred to stay on the Ways, Means, and Finance Committee or join the Public Accounts Committee. Gahr offered US$25,000 for signing the resolution, with US$15,000 to be paid upfront and the remaining US$10,000 to be disbursed after Speaker Koffa was removed.
He has lost the majority, so there is no way. The man has lost the will of the people, the majority. I am speaking as a Legislator not personal view. Like I said to you many things we don’t agreed to. And when the majority vote, there is nothing you can do… What thing [is] inside first? Because I heard it’s 30 [US$30,000]. No, it’s actually 25 [US$25,00] but 15 [US$15,000] is given. Immediately the deal is completed, the very day you will get it [the balance] because… you know that’s a risky game.
Leaked conversation reportedly between Rep. Clarence Gahr and Luther Collins [whistle blower].
An excerpt from the conversation: “He has lost the majority, so there is no way. The man has lost the will of the people, the majority. I am speaking as a Legislator not personal view. Like I said to you many things we don’t agreed to. And when the majority vote, there is nothing you can do… What thing [is] inside first? Because I heard it’s 30 [US$30,000]. No, it’s actually 25 [US$25,00] but 15 [US$15,000] is given. Immediately the deal is completed, the very day you will get it [the balance] because… you know that’s a risky game.” – Leaked conversation reportedly between Rep. Clarence Gahr and Luther Collins [whistle blower].
LACC Confirms Investigation
The bribery allegations have sparked widespread outrage, with citizens and political leaders demanding an investigation. Many called on the Ministry of Justice and the LACC to probe the claims and hold those involved accountable.
Speaking to Voice of America, Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, Executive Chairperson of the LACC, confirmed the commission had initiated an investigation into the bribery scandal. She said the Civil Society Working Group of Liberia had formally complained to the LACC, and the commission immediately began reviewing the videos circulating on social media.
Said Cllr. Zoe: “The LACC has taken siege of the matter. As of Friday, we convened as a board, we held several discussions also with the justice ministry because under our act, we have the authority to collaborate with other integrity institutions or law enforcement institutions, and basically, we’ve been doing our own assessment so that, by Monday we will be able to come up with an official statement to the public.”
She continued: “So, yes this is a major, major concern. It is very concerning. For the past month, there has been major cases involving allegation of act of corruption that the LACC has taken siege of. And we are definitely going to investigate, and bring persons of interest to the LACC for investigation. And if it is established that there were acts of corruption involved, we will proceed to prosecution.”
Cllr. Zoe affirmed that the LACC has the authority to investigate members of the House of Representatives, stating that the Legislature is not exempt from scrutiny.
The LACC has taken siege of the matter. As of Friday, we convened as a board, we held several discussions also with the justice ministry because under our act, we have the authority to collaborate with other integrity institutions or law enforcement institutions, and basically, we’ve been doing our own assessment so that, by Monday we will be able to come up with an official statement to the public… So, yes this is a major, major concern. It is very concerning. For the past month, there has been major cases involving allegation of act of corruption that the LACC has taken siege of. And we are definitely going to investigate, and bring persons of interest to the LACC for investigation. And if it is established that there were acts of corruption involved, we will proceed to prosecution.
Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe. Executive Chairperson, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission
When asked how the investigation would proceed, Zoe clarified that not all of the 47 lawmakers who signed the resolution would be called for questioning, but key members would be summoned based on the evidence.
“We will investigate both the givers and receivers of the bribes,” Zoe explained. “Once we identify the source of the funding, we will proceed with questioning those involved. The videos will serve as crucial evidence in our investigation.”
Lawmakers Withdraw Support Amid Bribery Revelations
Following the revelations, several lawmakers have publicly withdrawn their signatures from the resolution.
Rep. Thomas Goshua (District #5, Grand Bassa County) expressed disapproval of the plot, emphasizing that Speaker Koffa’s push for an audit within the House was the real motive behind the move to oust him. “This audit is crucial for transparency and accountability,” Goshua stated.
Rep. Prescilla Abram Cooper (District #5, Montserrado County) also withdrew her support, noting that she initially believed due process would be followed but could not endorse the effort after hearing of the bribery claims. “I cannot be part of any hostile takeover, especially with rumors of bribery,” she said in a Facebook post.
Rep. Rugie Barry (District #1, Montserrado County), who was elected in 2023, also withdrew her backing, facing criticism after the scandal.
Corruption on the Rise
This bribery scandal comes amid growing concerns about corruption in Liberia. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, Liberia scored 25 in 2023, ranking 145th out of 180 countries. The report found that 47% of citizens believed corruption had increased in the past year, while 53% of public service users admitted to paying bribes.
Calls for Further Investigation
On Capitol Hill, key lawmakers have weighed in on the controversy. Rep. Musa Hassan Bility (District #7, Nimba County) stressed the importance of due process and called for a formal headcount vote to resolve the issue. “While the majority has the right to decide the Speaker’s fate, it should be done thoughtfully and respectfully,” Bility said.
Senator Edwin Snowe voiced strong support for Speaker Koffa, urging the opposition to stand behind him. “The Speakership is more valuable to our democracy than US$15,000,” Snowe declared on social media.
Prominent figures, including Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe and economist Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh, have called for swift investigations and prosecutions of those involved. Dr. Tipoteh lauded Rep. Collins for exposing the bribery scheme and questioned the source of the funds used in the plot.
“The Rule of Law says that bribery is corruption, and corruption is a felony punishable by imprisonment,” Tipoteh stated. “The government must investigate where this money came from and prosecute those responsible.”
