Speaker Koon Cracks Down on ‘Misleading Statements,’ Summons Bomi Lawmaker
Monrovia, Liberia – April 24, 2026
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Nagbe Koon, has issued a stern warning to lawmakers over what he described as irresponsible public communication, cautioning that unguarded statements risk undermining the credibility of the Legislature.
Addressing concerns within the House, Speaker Koon urged members particularly newly elected lawmakers to exercise restraint and accuracy in their public pronouncements, emphasizing that the Legislature operates strictly under established rules and procedures.
“The House of Representatives is a rule-based institution,” the Speaker stressed, calling on lawmakers to align both their conduct and public messaging with the integrity expected of the office.
Jallah Summoned Over Contradictions
Speaker Koon singled out Bomi County Representative Sam P. Jallah, citing what he described as a pattern of inconsistent and misleading public statements.
According to the Speaker, Representative Jallah has, on several occasions, contradicted his own actions reportedly signing official documents and later denying involvement. The concerns have prompted leadership to summon the lawmaker to appear before the House on Monday to address the allegations.
The move follows complaints from several members who raised issues over Jallah’s recent public comments.
Clarification on Supplementary Budget
Responding to claims made by Representative Jallah regarding the Supplementary Budget, Speaker Koon firmly rejected suggestions of procedural irregularities.
He clarified that the budget was duly processed and approved by both chambers of the Legislature the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate in line with established rules.
The Speaker disclosed that the report received the backing of more than nine members of the Committee on Ways, Means and Finance, alongside five members of the Public Accounts Committee, constituting a simple majority required for passage.
He further questioned assertions that the budget lacked proper authorization, noting that concurrence from the Senate would not have been possible without full compliance with legislative procedures.
Reinforcing Legislative Standards
Speaker Koon also reminded the public that the Legislature retains the constitutional authority to convene special sessions when necessary, underscoring its operational flexibility.
In a bid to strengthen institutional discipline, the Speaker announced plans for a comprehensive capacity-building workshop for lawmakers. The initiative, he said, will focus on deepening members’ understanding of legislative procedures, ethical standards, and responsible public engagement.
The unfolding developments signal a tightening of internal accountability within the House, as leadership moves to safeguard the institution’s image amid rising public scrutiny.
