Parliament Strikes Back: House Summons LWSC Boss Mohammed Ali for Contempt in Showdown Over Defiance

Monrovia, Liberia: The House of Representatives has taken a firm stance against what it terms “growing executive arrogance,” by summoning Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) Managing Director Mohammed Ali to answer to contempt charges on Monday, June 30, 2025.

Mr. Ali is being held accountable for repeatedly ignoring official invitations from the House—a move lawmakers say directly undermines the Legislature’s constitutional mandate to provide oversight and demand transparency from public institutions.

The House leadership, visibly angered by what it called deliberate defiance, said Mr. Ali's actions are part of a disturbing pattern where senior government officials show blatant disrespect for legislative authority.

Lawmakers argue that Ali’s refusal to appear is not just an administrative failure but a calculated effort to weaken the role of the Legislature, which represents the voice of the people and is empowered by the Constitution to question and investigate public sector operations.

According to the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Robert Haynes, the LWSC boss is expected to appear and explain why he should not be held in contempt for his actions, which are viewed as a breach of legislative protocol and an insult to the rule of law.

Haynes emphasized that Mr. Ali’s continued absence is more than a scheduling issue—it is a fundamental challenge to democratic accountability and a clear violation of the checks and balances enshrined in Liberia’s governance system.

Legislators insist that public officials must respect the institutions that uphold democracy and that no appointee, regardless of title or rank, is above the law or immune to oversight.

In recent months, the House has raised red flags over what it describes as a trend of non-compliance by top government functionaries who deliberately avoid appearances before committees and plenary sessions.

With mounting public concerns over water supply failures and financial mismanagement at the LWSC, Ali’s refusal to engage with the Legislature has only increased calls for a full investigation into his leadership.

Members of the House say his posture raises suspicion and leaves the public with more questions than answers about how the LWSC is being managed under his watch.

The Monday session is expected to draw national attention, as lawmakers prepare to reassert their authority in a showdown that could redefine how the branches of government interact going forward.

Failure to appear, lawmakers warn, could result in punitive measures ranging from censure to possible arrest, as the House sends a clear message that defiance of the people’s house will no longer be tolerated.