Monrovia, Liberia – Senator Augustine Chea has voiced strong disagreement with Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, the Minister of Justice, over the interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling concerning the House of Representatives. Chea contends that this interpretation misrepresents both the Supreme Court’s decision and the Liberian Constitution.
In a statement, Senator Chea expressed his disappointment that the President and many of his Senate colleagues have accepted this interpretation, recognizing a “majority bloc” based on it. He believes this recognition undermines the rule of law, a sentiment reflected in a recent Gallup report that rated Liberia poorly on law and order.
Chea criticized the Supreme Court for its lack of clarity in its opinion, which he argues has led to confusion and multiple interpretations, exacerbating the ongoing crisis in the House of Representatives.
“I respectfully disagree with my friend, former classmate, and learned colleague, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. His interpretation of the Supreme Court’s Opinion in the House of Representatives case misrepresents the letter and spirit of the Apex Court’s decision as well as the letter and spirit of Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution of Liberia,” Chea stated.
He further expressed his disappointment not only in the President’s explicit recognition of the “majority bloc” but also in his Senate colleagues for using the Attorney General’s advisory opinion and the President’s recognition as the basis for acknowledging the bloc. “A very sad day for the rule of law. It is no wonder, therefore, that the Gallup Report just released rated Liberia very poorly on law and order,” Chea remarked.
Chea placed the majority of the blame on the Supreme Court, stating, “I blame the Supreme Court most for all these misinterpretations of its ruling and the confusion resulting therefrom. In all sincerity and with all due respect to the Honorable Court, it did not do a good job in this case. The Court’s failure to be straightforward in its Opinion makes it susceptible to all sorts of interpretations. Unfortunately, the HOR’s crisis lingers.”
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