Senator Prince K. Moyee of Bong County has made headlines by firmly distancing himself from a recent movement by 43 members of the House of Representatives aimed at removing Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa from his position. The underlying motive for this proposed action has been tied to fears of an impending audit, a claim that Moyee vehemently denies. In a press conference held on October 21, 2024, at the Capitol Building, Moyee asserted that he is not motivated by fears of an audit stemming from his previous role as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance. He emphasized the importance of transparency during his tenure, framing the accusations as unfounded and damaging to his public image.
Addressing the allegations directly, Moyee expressed frustration that some legislators have insinuated his involvement in efforts to unseat Koffa due to a fear of financial scrutiny. He argued that he has nothing to hide regarding his past service in the House of Representatives. His tenure as the Ways and Means Chair ran from September 2016 until December 2017, during which he asserted that the legislative budget was properly maintained and adhered to. He particularly highlighted his collaboration with Boimah Kamara, the former Finance Minister, affirming Kamara’s integrity and the accountability entrenched in their financial operations.
Moyee elaborated on his fiscal management while serving as Deputy Speaker, stating that his office operated on a budget that did not exceed one million U.S. dollars during his three-year tenure. He called attention to the stark contrast in budget allocations under the current leadership, noting a significant increase to four to five million dollars. This point was aimed at clarifying that the push to remove Speaker Koffa should not be attributed to concerns about audits relating to his own budgetary practices. Instead, he urged that any pending audits be directed towards broader accountability within the House itself.
The senator reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability in all public institutions and expressed that the time is ripe for the House of Representatives to undergo an audit. He maintained that he desires an environment where all government operations, including financial practices, are available for public scrutiny. His stance remains that the financial practices during his tenure were transparent and responsible, countering the narrative that he is aligned with those against an audit.
Moreover, in his role on the Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget Committee of the Senate, Moyee detailed the various funding agreements the House has passed, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the legislative process. He expressed disbelief at the notion that he would seek to remove a Speaker due to financial-related fears, especially since various instruments have consistently received passage without hindrance from the House. He highlighted the need for cooperation in legislative finance, stating that the success of budgets is contingent upon bipartisan efforts—a factor that reinforces his call for integrity in governance.
In light of the ongoing tensions and accusations, legislators loyal to Speaker Koffa have taken steps to defend him by submitting evidence to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission. These members are requesting a formal investigation into the allegations of financial inducement surrounding the Speaker’s potential removal. This development has injected further complexity into an already charged political environment in Liberia, illustrating the volatile interplay between legislative power dynamics, financial accountability, and institutional oversight. Moyee’s assertion of transparency stands in stark contrast to the allegations within the legislature, revealing a deep-seated struggle over the integrity and direction of Liberia’s governmental institutions.
