-What Do Liberians Say?
To say he is still a legislator, or say he isn’t, depends on whom you talk to in a highly polarized political society like ours. The views are not only diverse, but are also political and in some cases, personal.
Speaking from the context and definition of the word expulsion, which means dismissal, removal or ejection, some Liberians say Kolubah is no longer a legislator because he was expelled from
the House of Representatives, where he once represented Montserrado County District-10.
“If he is still a legislator as his supporters are claiming, why he isn’t he going to sessions following his colleagues’ majority vote that ejected him”, asked a man who only identified himself as Emmanuel.
On the contrast, other Liberians think, Mr. Kolubah still remains a legislator because as far as they were concerned, his removal was political than constitutional, further arguing that what is not done properly, is not done at all.
They also argued that Kolubah has challenged his expulsion at the Supreme Court and that the Court has not ruled in the matter, further suggesting that the fact that the High Court has not ruled in the matter, Kolubah still remains a legislator and a member of the House of Representatives.
For those speaking from the context of the Liberian Constitution, they argued that the Legislature and Judiciary are two separate branches of the Government and that one cannot overturn or undo a decision taken by the other like in the case of Kolubah and was in the case of Prophet Key who was sent to prison by the judiciary on claims that he insulted the Chief Justice and exposed the Judiciary to public ridicule.
It all started when a fellow legislator, Representative Sumo K. Mulbah of Montserrado County District-3 filed a complaint against Kolubah, who was serving his second term as Representative of Montserrado District-10. Another complaint was filed to the leadership of the House of Representatives by the Liberia National Police, accusing former lawmaker, Kolubah, of gross misconduct, violation of his oath of office and a breach of the House’s rules and undermining national security and public confidence.
The former Montserrado District -10 lawmaker’s trouble was further exacerbated when in a publicly statement he said Guinea, not Liberia, owns the disputed border territory, culminating into his expulsion on April 17 by his colleagues with a two-thirds majority vote. Since then, Mr. Kolubah has been touring the Country, seeking the views and support of his fellow citizens. Howbeit, it is unlikely that Kolubah’s expulsion will be overturned by the judiciary based on the doctrine of the separation of power.
