16/04/2026
MY EXPERT OPINION ON THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF REP. YEKEH Y. KOLUBAH, ELECTORAL DISTRICT # 10, MONTSERRADO COUNTY, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.
First and foremost, the ongoing investigation of Rep. Yekeh Y. Kolubah by the Honorable House of Representatives (HOR), through the House’s Standing Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration is grounded in Article 38 of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia which states “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”. Meaning, the Honorable House of Representatives (HOR) is proceeding in accordance with its own rules, which have quasi-judicial authority, particularly in contexts involving internal discipline, ethics investigations and other misconduct.
Inline with Parliamentary rules, Members of Parliament around the world can be expelled or lose their seats due to serious misconduct, breach of rules, or failure to meet legal qualifications. Such procedures may vary - - often requiring a threshold vote of two-thirds so as to protect the democratic will of the voters. However, there are many common reasons for a Member of Parliament to be expelled or lose his/her seat - - which include but not limited to the following:
1. Misconduct within the Parliament:
* Behavior that disrupts the ability of the House to function, such as violence, interrupting proceedings, shouting, or physically obstructing the Speaker. Etc.
2. Disloyalty or Sedition:
* Making seditious and disloyal statements that endanger national security can lead to expulsion.
3. Breach of Ethics/Code of Conduct:
* Violating strict parliamentary codes regarding integrity, standards, and professionalism, especially those that cause damage to the integrity and reputation of the House.
4. Absence Without Permission:
* Failing to attend regular Sessions of the House for a specified period without approval from the Presiding Officer or the Honorable Speaker. Etc.
Now, with just four counts mentioned supra out of the many common reasons for expelling a Member of Parliament or the House, I can safely say that Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah will not go unpunished by his colleagues in the House of Representatives (HOR), upon the submission of the report from Rules, Other, and Administration Committee to the Plenary, which is the supreme decision-making body of the House. If he’s not expelled, which may be out of sympathy from his colleagues, he may receive a very harsh Legislative punishment.
The best thing Rep. Kolubah can do in order to avoid expulsion or other harsh punishment, is to lobby with majority members of his colleagues in the House for pardon. Like I mentioned earlier, the ongoing investigation is not a “court of record” hearing rather, it’s a quasi-judicial process where direct legal representation throughout the process may not be allowed. Your lawyer(s) may appear with you in the process in order to guide you in your presentations and responses only.
To conclude, I can clearly see more charges being levied against Rep. Kolubah in the Committee’s final report suggesting that some of his actions as a member in the Honorable House of Representatives have brought that august body into public disrepute. Meaning, the Committee’s report may not only be limited to the “reckless remarks” about the existing Guinea-Liberia borders crisis. As such, a severe penalty may be melted against him in whatever way the majority may desire.
I am speaking authoritatively on this matter on the basis of my expertise on “Legislative Proceedings” as well as an experienced former Legislator who played an active and major roles in both the House of Representatives and Joint Legislative Leadership for 12th consecutive years (2006-2018).
