House to Charge MFDP Minister for Contempt Charge Over Continuous Delay to Appear

By: William K Howard 

Capitol Hill: The Honorable House of Representatives- HOR, has cited Finance Minister, Boimah Kamara, under contempt charge, for his repeated refusal to comply with three separate citations from the legislative body.

The HOR has invoked its Contempt Power, as outlined in rule four, which defines contempt as any action that obstructs the legislative function or hinders the duties of its members and officers.

A statement issued by the House Press Bureau on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, says the punishment for contempt can include a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to one month, or for the duration of the current session of the House. The decisions made in contempt cases are not subject to appeal.

Minister Kamara, along with officials from the Liberia Revenue Authority, Internal Affairs, and Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, had been invited to provide financial updates on consolidated accounts, bank balances, and validate reports from the Liberia Revenue Authority on revenue collection.

While all other parties have cooperated, the Ministry of Finance's refusal to appear has been deemed contemptuous, leading to a request for another appearance on Thursday, June 27, 2024 and he is expected to be accompanied by his legal counsel.

We wait to see whether or not the MFDP Minister will Appear on Thursday and what will be the action of the House under Speaker Koffa, for this could be a chance to set the record, where an official from the executive will be locked up for gross Disrespect ( Contempt) under the 55th.