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House Of Representatives 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲..
𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀: 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵

Mr. Augustine Saah Take over ask Director Of Press and Public Affairs

Lofa County Bar Association Appeals NCSM Ruling, Cites Procedural and Substantive Errors

December 31, 2025

The Lofa County Bar Association has formally announced an appeal against the ruling of the Protest and Grievance Committee (PGC) in the ongoing National County Sports Meet (NCSM) dispute involving Grand Cape Mount County. In a statement released today, the Association said its legal team is seeking to uphold what it described as the “rule of the game” as previously determined by the highest reviewing body of the NCSM, while dismissing allegations from Grand Cape Mount as misleading and propagandistic.

According to the Bar Association, the appeal challenges both the procedure and substance of the PGC’s decision. It argues that the PGC ignored a binding precedent set by the NCSM Appeal Board in the Grand Bassa case, which strictly enforced timelines for filing on-field and written protests. The PGC’s decision to treat a late filing as harmless, the Association said, constitutes a reversible error.

The Association further faulted the PGC for ruling that the transfers of players Francis Doe and Jeremiah Johnson were improperly conducted through the Liberia Football Association (LFA) DTMS and Connect systems, without clearly identifying any violated procedure or sharing the documents relied upon, an alleged breach of due process and the principle of notice. It also criticized the Committee for reaching a technical conclusion without seeking clarification from the LFA, despite the system recognizing the players as duly registered third-division players.

Additionally, the Bar Association condemned the application of Rule 21.1, which pertains to fielding illegal players, arguing that the players were declared illegal without due process and that the ruling could negatively affect Wologizi FC and Howard FC without hearing from their officials.

On the facts, the Association maintained that the players were not transferred but became free agents through mutual contract termination when upper-division transfer windows were closed. As free agents, they were lawfully registered by Howard FC during the open third-division window and duly recognized by the LFA, issued playing cards, and allowed to compete.

The Lofa County Bar Association concluded by questioning how Lofa County could be accused of cheating when the players were officially identified, registered, and cleared to play by the LFA system itself, which the PGC now claims was bypassed.

The Legislative Budget Office (LBO) announces that today’s hearing on the Expenditure Component of the FY2026 Draft National Budget, scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, has been suspended until further notice to allow for technical harmonization and wider consultations. The suspension is temporary and does not affect the overall timetable for budget consideration. A new date will be communicated promptly, and the LBO reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive dialogue in the national budget process.

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮

The Plenary of the House of Representatives has passed into law An Act for the Ownership, Management, Licensing and Operation of Community Radio Stations in Liberia. The decision was reached on Thursday during the 14th Day Sitting of the 3rd Quarter Session.

The passage of this landmark legislation follows a comprehensive review by the Joint Committee on Information, Broadcasting, and Judiciary. The bill, originally submitted by Hon. Nyahn G. Flomo on June 4, 2024, aims to establish a sustainable and transparent regulatory framework for the community radio sector recognizing its critical role in Liberia’s peacebuilding efforts, national development, and dissemination of public information.

In adherence to Rule 31.4 of the House’s Rules and Procedures, the bill was subjected to due diligence, including public hearings and extended stakeholder consultations. On June 28, 2024, the Joint Committee, in partnership with Internews/USAID, convened a well-attended one-day public hearing at the Creed Lodge in Marshall, Margibi County. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and community radio practitioners across the country.

A detailed report from the Joint Committee outlines the participatory process and provides a matrix of key stakeholder concerns along with the Committee’s corresponding recommendations. Among the major amendments incorporated into the revised draft are:

A clear and concise definition of a “Community” within the context of community radio.

Provisions ensuring authentic community ownership and management of stations.

A structured mechanism to consolidate multiple stations within a community into a single entity after a five-year period.

Strengthened licensing procedures to curb fraud, including a requirement for a notarized Board Resolution.

Clarification of the regulatory roles of MICAT and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) in the licensing framework.

Establishment of a Community Radio National Budgetary Allocation Management Committee to administer an annual 0.25% allocation from the National Budget for the sector’s sustainability.

Enhanced transparency and accountability measures governing political and personal donations to community radio stations.

Upon presenting its findings, the Joint Committee recommended that the proposed adjustments be formally incorporated into the bill and circulated to all Members of the House. Following its third reading, Plenary voted overwhelmingly to pass the Act and forward it to the Honorable Liberian Senate for concurrence.

The House of Representatives reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Liberia’s media landscape, promoting community empowerment, and safeguarding access to accurate and timely public information.

Breaking News
Lofa County James Tarpeh. switch to represent Nimba County in the upcoming National County Sports Meet.

Tarpeh finalized his decision by signing for Nimba earlier today at Gompa Sports Stadium in Ganta City, Nimba County, before Nimba's friendly match against B**g County.