Jonathan Fonati Koffa (born c. 1964)[1] is a Liberian lawyer and politician. He has been serving as speaker of the House of Representatives since January 2024.
Political appointments
editIn 2016, Koffa was appointed by then President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Minister of State without Portfolio and Special Prosecutor of the Sable Mining bribery scandal.[2]
Legal career
editKoffa is the founder and former managing partner of the International Law Group (ILG) and he has been practicing law since 1997 both in Liberia and the United States. Koffa was also admitted into the Supreme Court Bar of the Republic of Liberia with distinct honor as valedictorian of the graduating class.[3]
Legislature
editIn the 2017 House of Representatives election, Koffa was elected to represent Grand Kru County's 2nd electoral district. He ran for election under the Liberty Party (LP) banner.[4] He had previously served as chairman of the LP. In August 2018, Koffa switched party affiliation from the LP to the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).[5]
Leadership in the House of Representatives
editKoffa was first appointed to the chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee of the 54th National Legislature. He was a member of the Committee on Elections and Inauguration as well as the Committee on Human & Civil Rights. He was the acting chairperson of the Grand Kru Legislative Caucus at the 54th National Legislature.[6]
In January 2021, Koffa was elected as deputy speaker.[7] In the 2023 election, Koffa was re-elected under the CDC banner.[8] The CDC endorsed Koffa's run for speaker.[9] In January 2024, Koffa was elected speaker by the House.[10]
Early life
editKoffa is a 1982 graduate of Cathedral Catholic High School. After acquiring his basic education in Liberia, Koffa traveled to the United States. While in the US Koffa enrolled at the Shaw University, Raleigh North Carolina, US, where he obtained a Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA-cum laude) with emphasis in urban planning. At Raleigh North Carolina State University, he obtained a master's in public administration (MPA). Koffa also obtained a Juris Doctor (JD), from the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill.[11]
In the early 2000s, Koffa served as town manager of Zebulon, North Carolina, in the United States.[12] He had also served as town attorney for Rolesville, North Carolina.[1] In 2004, a state news report revealed that Koffa, as a lawyer, had stolen money from clients. He was found guilty on a number of charges, including embezzlement. Following his sentence, Koffa returned to Liberia.[12]
Personal life
editKoffa was born in Liberia and is married to Dama Yekeson Koffa. He has three children.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b MacDonald, Thomasi (February 24, 2004). "Missing lawyer turns self in". The News and Observer. p. 11. Retrieved March 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Butty, James. "Liberia's Corruption Task Force Executes 'Probable Cause Arrests'". Voice of America. Voice of America. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Koffa Resigns From ILG As Managing Partner". GNN Liberia Online. GNN News. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "2017 House of Representatives Election Results". National Elections Commission. 2017. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Karmo, Henry (August 22, 2018). "From Liberty Party To CDC: Rep. Fonati Koffa's Crossover Sealed". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Sieh, Rodney. "Liberia: House Commences Hearing to Impeach Supreme Court Member". Front Page Africa Online. Front Page Africa. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "House Elects Rep. Koffa Deputy Speaker". FAAPA. January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ "2023 House of Representatives Election Results". National Elections Commission. 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Teh, Lewis S. (December 5, 2023). "CDC backs Fonati Koffa". The New Dawn liberia. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Dodoo, Lennart (January 15, 2024). "Representative Johnathan K. Koffa Secures Speaker Position with a Decisive Victory". FrontPage Africa. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ "J.FonatiKoffa: The Parliamentarianʼs Parliamentarian". Isuu News. African Leadership Magazine. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ a b Stewart, John H. T. (December 27, 2023). "Liberia: Jonathan Fonati Koffa's Criminal History Makes Him a Wrong Fit for Speaker of the House of Representatives". Liberian Observer. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Clarke, Derrick. "Who is Jonathan Koffa". Oracle News Site. Oracle News. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
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