The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, was not in court today when the Supreme Court started hearing the case about the Constitution Amendment Bill he passed.
His lawyer, Hon. Hindolo Gevao Esq., told the judges that the Speaker has running stomach.
According to his counsel, the Speaker was taken ill with diarrhoea and could not attend the hearing.
Speaker Thomas is not just any witness. He is one of the main defendants in the case. He was the man who was in the chair on 10 August 2026 when Parliament passed the controversial Bill after APC MPs walked out.
On that day, the Clerk said 97 MPs were present and voted yes. Speaker Thomas ruled that was enough. He later said his ruling is final and no court can question it.
But today, when the court wanted to question that ruling, the Speaker was not there.
The Supreme Court is trying to answer a simple question that has divided the country: To change the Constitution, do you need majority of those present, or two-thirds of all 149 MPs – that is 100 votes?
President Julius Maada Bio sent the matter to the Supreme Court under Section 122(1) after receiving a petition from IGR. The APC and MP Osman Timbo also filed cases.
Even though the Speaker was absent, the court said the matter must go on. His lawyer is in court representing him.
The hearing continues, and the whole country is listening live on radio and TV for the first time in our history.
