Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The House of Representatives has voted to forward Bong County Electoral District #3 Representative Josiah Marvin Cole to its Committee on Rules, Order and Administration for investigation following remarks he made in the Chamber prior to the commencement of Tuesday’s sitting.
The decision followed concerns raised by Lofa County Electoral District #4 Representative Gizziee Kollance, who informed plenary that Rep. Cole allegedly made public comments suggesting that lawmakers’ salaries should be cut for reporting to work late. Kollance subsequently requested the indulgence of the House to investigate the statements reportedly made by the Bong County lawmaker before the sitting began.
A motion to address the matter was first introduced by Montserrado County Electoral District #3 Representative Sumo Mulbah, who proposed that Cole be referred to the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration and suspended for two months over the alleged comments.
However, the motion faced immediate resistance from River Gee County Electoral District #3 Representative Johnson S.N. Williams, who raised a point of information, arguing that Mulbah’s motion contravened the House’s standing rules by prematurely determining the outcome of an investigation that had yet to be conducted.
In response, House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon instructed Rep. Mulbah to reintroduce the motion, noting procedural errors in the original submission. According to Representative Johnson S.N. Williams, the motion was flawed because it sought disciplinary action before any investigation had taken place.
Despite being given another opportunity, Rep. Mulbah reportedly repeated the same motion, prompting Speaker Koon to dismiss it entirely. The Speaker then invited Sinoe County Electoral District #1 Representative, Prof. Thomas Romeo Quioh, to introduce a fresh motion.
In his motion, Rep. Quioh proposed that Rep. Cole be referred to the Committee on Rules, Order and Administration for investigation, with findings expected to be submitted to plenary on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The motion was subsequently adopted.
Earlier on Tuesday, June 9, Rep. Cole briefly occupied the Speaker’s official seat in the Chamber and openly expressed frustration over what he described as the habitual lateness of some lawmakers. During his remarks, he reportedly called on the government, the Ministry of Finance, and the Comptroller General to withhold salaries from the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and members of House leadership for allegedly arriving late to work.
Cole argued that lawmakers have no justifiable reason to report late, emphasizing that House sessions are officially scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. He reportedly pointed to the nearly empty Chamber at 10:12 a.m. as evidence of persistent tardiness among legislators.
Following Tuesday’s decision, the Bong County lawmaker is now expected to appear before the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration to answer questions regarding the comments he made.
Meanwhile, Speaker Koon clarified that delays in lawmakers reporting to work have largely been influenced by ongoing construction works on the overpass bridge connecting Congo Town and Paynesville. He noted that lawmakers had previously agreed to adjust the commencement of sittings from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., despite the House’s standing order stipulating 10:00 a.m. as the official time for assembly in the Chamber. The findings and endorsement from the committee are expected to mark a new chapter in the 55th Legislature, as Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon’s leadership continues to reinforce accountability and institutional oversight.
