Monrovia, Liberia — December 27, 2025 The Liberia Independent Elder Council for Peace and Reconciliation has formally called for the resignation of House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, citing what it describes as grave and far-reaching allegations that now threaten the integrity of the National Legislature and public confidence in the state.
In a strongly worded press statement issued Friday under the leadership of its Chairman, Samuel O. Phillips, the Council said it was compelled to “break its silence” as the controversy surrounding the Speaker escalates from a private dispute into a national crisis.
Allegations Rocking the Legislature
According to the Elder Council, the allegations—widely circulated on social media and in public discourse include claims of marital fraud and bigamy, with a woman identifying herself as Mrs. Cecelia Kpor Koon asserting she is legally married to Speaker Koon and accusing him of criminal conduct. The Council further referenced claims that the alleged marriage may have been used to secure U.S. immigration benefits, involving forged documents.
More troubling, the Council highlighted assertions questioning the Speaker’s citizenship and eligibility for office, including claims that he is Nigerian rather than Liberian. These assertions, the elders noted, have been complicated by conflicting public statements and alleged familial ties in Nigeria, creating what the Council described as “a deeply confusing and concerning narrative.”
The statement also referenced separate allegations from Madam Verma Walker accusing the Speaker of neglecting parental responsibilities toward an eleven-year-old child claims the elders say raise serious moral and ethical questions.
Pattern of Ethical Concerns
Beyond the personal allegations, the Council pointed to what it termed a pattern of ethical lapses, recalling Speaker Koon’s recent public admission that the removal of former Speaker Fonati Koffa was driven by political retaliation rather than the ethical grounds initially presented to the public.
“This pattern,” the Council warned, “undermines the foundational integrity of the House and the moral authority of the Speaker’s Chair.”
Rejection of Speaker’s Response
While acknowledging that Speaker Koon has urged complainants to seek redress in court and has pledged leadership rooted in integrity, the elders dismissed this response as inadequate given the seriousness of the accusations.
The Council stressed that allegations touching on fraud, citizenship, abuse of power, and moral conduct cannot be treated as private disputes, arguing that they strike at the heart of one of Liberia’s three most powerful constitutional offices.
Calls for Immediate Action
Citing past precedent most notably the blocked nomination and subsequent court ruling against Ndubusi Nwabudike over unresolved citizenship issues—the Elder Council said Liberia has already established that questions of eligibility and integrity must be resolved transparently and without delay.
Accordingly, the Council made three key demands:
- That Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon immediately recuse himself as Speaker of the 55th Legislature and as Representative of District #11 to allow for an independent investigation.
- That President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, in collaboration with legislative leadership, initiate a swift, credible, and comprehensive investigation involving all relevant state institutions.
- That Liberia’s justice system act without fear or favor, ensuring that all parties are subject to the rule of law.
National Implications
“The cloud of suspicion now hanging over the Speaker’s Chair does not merely tarnish one individual,” the Council warned. “It paralyzes the moral authority of the entire Legislature and erodes public trust at a time when national unity is paramount.”
The elders concluded with an appeal to conscience and constitutional duty, cautioning that failure to act decisively risks deepening cynicism and instability across the country.
As of press time, there has been no official response from Speaker Koon to the Elder Council’s demands.
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