“Go and Sin No More” – House Grants Clemency to Three Legislators
The Plenary of the House of Representatives has exercised its constitutional and parliamentary discretion to grant what legislative sources describe as clemency and disciplinary dispensation to three lawmakers following an internal inquiry into alleged breaches of parliamentary decorum and conduct.
The decision affects Bong County Electoral District #3 Representative J. Marvin Cole, Gbarpolu County Electoral District #2 Representative Luther S. Collins, and Bomi County Electoral District #3 Representative Sam P. Jallah.
The lawmakers had come under legislative scrutiny and internal censure proceedings after comments and actions were deemed by some members of the House to be inconsistent with parliamentary privilege, institutional dignity, and the established standards of conduct governing the Chamber.
According to parliamentary sources, the matter engaged the House’s internal disciplinary architecture, including referral to the Committee on Rules, Order and Administration for review under the Standing Rules of the House, Code of Conduct framework, and parliamentary ethics provisions.
The Plenary decision was reached during Thursday’s sitting following deliberations in which Rep. Cole appeared before lawmakers and reaffirmed an earlier apology tendered before the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, and members of the leadership bloc of the House.
In his submission, Rep. Cole acknowledged that his remarks and conduct could be interpreted as an encroachment upon the authority and institutional integrity of the Legislature and accordingly expressed contrition.
“I understand and acknowledge that some of my actions and comments may have been interpreted as disrespectful to the authority of this august body, and for that, I am very sorry,” he told Plenary.
However, the House reportedly exercised its inherent disciplinary prerogative and plenary authority to resolve the matter through internal settlement rather than referral to prolonged sanctioning procedures, thereby effectively issuing what some lawmakers described as “legislative pardon by resolution.”
As part of the resolution, Representatives Sam P. Jallah and Luther S. Collins are required to publish formal letters of apology in a widely circulated newspaper and submit proof of publication to the Office of the Chief Clerk, in line with parliamentary corrective measures and reputational sanctioning practice.
The actions giving rise to the inquiry were previously characterized within the chamber as conduct potentially undermining parliamentary order, decorum, and respect for the Speakership and institutional hierarchy.
The resolution, described by some members as “go and sin no more,” reflects the House’s reliance on internal dispute resolution mechanisms, restorative parliamentary justice, and institutional self-regulation, as opposed to external adjudication.
Source credit: By Leroy M. Sonpon, III / Daily Observer
Date: June 15, 2026