29/03/2026
Montserrado County District #3 Rep. Sumo Mulbah writes 👇👇👇
"How can we as legislators condemn others if we are unable to uphold the laws we enact? The insensitive remarks made against our nation over the past couple of days shouldn't be politicized to benefit any political party. The question of whether the removal of a legislator for actions deemed treasonous or in breach of the constitution constitutes a matter of legislative precedent or a fundamental application of the principle that all citizens including lawmakers are equal under the law is a cornerstone of Liberian constitutional theory. Historically, the power of legislative bodies to expel their own members is derived from Article 38, Chapter 5 of the Liberia Constitution, which grants each house the authority to "punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a member." However, in my view, this power is not absolute and must be reconciled with the broader democratic mandate that no individual, regardless of their office, is above the rule of law.
When legislators engage in conduct that breaches penal codes or threatens constitutional order, the need for their removal becomes a matter of constitutional integrity rather than political decorum. The government structure must oversee both the governed and the government, ensuring consistent application of law to prevent abuse of power. If legislators commit acts that would be considered treasonous for any citizen, failing to remove them creates a two-tiered justice system, implying lawmakers have immunity from the laws they uphold. This "equality before the law" principle is fundamental to the Liberian legal system, as outlined in Article 11 of the 1986 Constitution. Article 11(a) stresses that all individuals are born free and possess inalienable rights, while Article 11(c) states that all people are equal and entitled to equal protection under the law.
These constitutional guarantees prevent arbitrary discri
