Liberia’s Supreme Court has summoned Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan and House Comptroller Emmanuel Kopi over allegations of withholding lawmakers’ salaries for four months. The summons follows a petition filed by seven legislators seeking unpaid wages and benefits.
Issued by Chambers Justice Ceanneh Johnson, the writ orders the officials to explain by March 10, 2025, why the court should not grant a mandamus compelling payment. The lawmakers—Marvin Cole, Frank Saah Foko, Alex Noah, Edward Papie Flomo, Abu Kamara, Eugene Kollie, and Zinnah Norman—argue their compensation is a constitutional right.
They claim that, as elected members of the 55th Legislature, they are entitled to full salaries as allocated in the national budget. Their legal counsel, Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi, insists the government’s actions violate Liberia’s public service laws.
The Supreme Court’s ruling could set a precedent for legislative financial entitlements, amid growing concerns over government accountability in managing public funds.
