PUP Embattled Chairman runs to Supreme Court

Days after the National Executive Committee of the People’s Unification Party (PUP) suspended its Chairman, Samuel Kogar, the embattled Chairman has filed a petition for a Writ of Prohibition at the Supreme Court. 

Located at the Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill, Monrovia, the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of justice in the country. 

According to Chairman Kogar’s petition, it is his role as Chairman to quarterly report to  the National Election Commission(NEC) and also to preside over all meetings, approve all official communications, document and approve all monetary spending as would be sanctioned by the National Executive Committee as per their constitution- section 7.2 (a) and (b). 

“Any officer or members of the NEC shall have the rights to request a meeting regarding issues of importance to the growth and development of the PUP through a written communication to the National Chairperson,” Mr. Kogar read the party’s constitution. 

He explained that the said communication should be delivered to the Chairman of the party, which is him, for at least four(4) workings days before the proposed date of the said meetings. 

He contended that with the law quoted above, some members of the party led by James Emmanuel Nuquay,  Tokpah J. Mulbah, Benjamin K. Massaquoi, Bish A. Dolo Kerkulah, L. Moses Kwehai, Abel Y. Dolokelen, Amos Y. Flomo, Morris Barbary, Patrick Cole, David Chelley, James M. Kolleh, and Edward W. Karfiah elected to assume the position and responsibility of the chairman. 

The PUP embattled Chairman averred that members of the party convened a secret meeting outside of the constitution of the party and developed an illegal resolution named: “Joint Resolution of the Governing Council (GC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Unification Party in support of the Second-Term Presidential Bid of President George  Manneh Weah.

After the resolution was passed, Chairman Kogar said he was suspended without a due process of law, something which he described as violation of Article 21(c) and 20(a) of the 1986 Liberia Constitution, which he quoted: “All persons are equal before the law and are therefore entitled to the equal protection of the law.” 

“No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the person, property, privilege or any other right except as the outcome of hearing judgment consistent with the provisions laid down in this constitution and in accordance with due process of law. ….” Article 20(a) of Liberia Constitution. 

He furthered that prior to his suspension as Chairman of the Party, he communicated to those names mentioned above that they should seize and desist to arrange or carry out meetings, which contravenes section 9:0(a) and (b) of the PUP’s Bye- law. 

Embattled Chairman Kogar emphasized that if the National Executive Committee of PUP prevented, restrained and prohibited his rights to due process and equal protection, something which violated these laws cited above. 

Because of this, he prayed that Justice in Chamber - Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay  to issue an Alternative Writ of Probation to show cause why the Preemptory Writ of Prohibition should not be issued. 

It can be recalled that on Thursday, April 27, 2023, the National Executive Committee of the PUP suspended  Chairman Kogar with immediate effect. They said it was based on his illegal refusal to comply with its mandate to endorse the re-election bid of President Weah. 

Additionally, their decision is in line with Article 8 of its By- Law and Constitution, which has  to do with a two-thirds majority of its Governing Council and National Executive Committee endorsement.