𝐊𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐁𝐀𝐇, 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐀𝐒 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒.

A heated hearing at the House of Representatives erupted into drama on Wednesday, April 15, when Montserradio County District #10 Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah and his lawyers abruptly abandoned House's Committee hearing for what they described as a denial of due process.The appearance before the House Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration was meant to address serious allegations of "treason" linked to Kolubah's recent comments on a sensitive border issue. 

Instead, it quickly descended into a standoff over legal procedure and the role of lawyers in legislative hearings.Tensions began after the committee accepted a formal submission from Kolubah's legal team but refused to allow the lawyers to speak directly. The committee insisted that all arguments must be presented through the lawmaker himself citing  established legislative practice that immediately drew objection from Kolubah's legal team.Reading the submission, Cllr. Moriah Yeakula told the committee that the defense could not proceed without access to key evidence. She pointed to missing materials, including statements, audio and video recordings, and the government’s official position cited in the complaint.“Having adequate notice of the evidence against him is a requirement under the principle of due process,” she said, urging the committee to grant between five and seven business days to review the materials. 

But the request was swiftly challenged. Bomi County District #2 Representative Mannah Bishop moved that it be denied, arguing that it did not align with the House’s standing rules.The committee agreed, rejecting both the demand for evidence and the request for additional time, citing procedural limits and the urgency of the investigation.The rejection deepened the divide. Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi warned that continuing without the requested materials would undermine Kolubah’s right to a fair hearing. Yeakula followed with a firm stance, insisting the defense could not proceed under such conditions.“We cannot proceed with this hearing if we are not provided the evidence and the relevant House rules we requested,” she said. “Our client is not being given due process under these circumstances.”Moments later, the protest turned into action. 

The entire legal team rose and walked out of the hearing room. Kolubah followed shortly after, making his position clear before exiting.“Since you didn’t give my lawyers the chance and I’m being left alone, I will walk out,” he said.Despite the dramatic exit, the committee stood its ground. Chairman James Kolleh defended the committee's decision, drawing a clear line between courtroom practice and legislative procedure. He maintained that lawyers are not permitted to directly address the committee, insisting that such rules have long guided proceedings in the House.“Our decisions are guided strictly by the rules and procedures of this House,” Kolleh said. “Lawyers do not speak for witnesses here; they speak through them.”He dismissed claims of unfairness, noting that lawmakers themselves are bound by strict rules that carry consequences if violated.“It cuts both ways,” he said. 

“Just as they cannot go against their code, we cannot go against the rules that govern this body.”Kolleh also rejected suggestions that the process denied justice, pointing out that any aggrieved party still has the option to seek remedy before the Supreme Court of Liberia.“This is not the end of the road. There is always a remedy under the law," he added.The hearing also exposed pressure from tight timelines. The committee is working under a ten-day mandate from plenary to complete its investigation and submit a report. While an earlier request for an extension was granted, a second appeal for more time raised concerns about delaying the process."

Plenary has given us ten days. We must work within that framework," Kolleh stressed.The probe stems from a complaint filed by Montserrado County District #3 Representative Sumo K. Mulbah, who accuses Kolubah of misconduct and breaching his oath of office. Mulbah argues that Kolubah's remarks widely interpreted as conceding Liberian territory were reckless and posed a threat to national integrity.The committee is expected to submit its findings to plenary in the coming days, where lawmakers will decide the next course of action in a case that has already drawn national concern.

Author: Victor Quaye