Edwin Snowe
Encyclopedia
Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr. is a Liberia
n politician. He has served in the House of Representatives of Liberia
since January 2006, and he was Speaker of the House of Representatives
from January 2006 to February 2007.
, and he is a graduate of political science from the University of Liberia. He became the son-in-law of Charles Taylor, who was President of Liberia from 1997 to 2003, and was a prominent figure under his government. He also served as the President of the Liberian Football Association.
In the 11 October 2005 legislative election
, Snowe ran as an independent candidate in the 5th district of Montserrado County
and was elected to the House of Representatives. Subsequently he was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The "reinstated Speaker" resigned on Thursday, February 15, 2007 on grounds that he would not go to the township of Virginia for Legislative matters in keeping with article 40 of the Liberian Constitution which states: Neither House shall adjourn for more than five days without the consent of the other and both Houses shall always sit in the same city.
On March 2, Snowe appeared for police questioning in connection with his alleged misappropriation of more than a million dollars when he was managing director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation under the transitional government of Gyude Bryant
. The investigation was postponed until the following week due to Snowe being ill. Snowe appeared for questioning again on March 6. It has been argued that Snowe is immune from prosecution because he is a legislator, but according to justice minister Frances Johnson Morris, immunity can be removed for certain crimes, including corruption. Snowe appeared in court to face the charge against him on April 12. His lawyers filed a bond of $1.8 million U.S. dollars, but the prosecution argued this was inadequate and needed to be doubled, and also argued that the source of the bond, the African Insurance Company of Liberia, could not legally issue it to Snowe. On August 16, 2007, the Monrovia City Court ruled in Snowe's favor, declaring the bond to be "sufficient and valid".
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
n politician. He has served in the House of Representatives of Liberia
House of Representatives of Liberia
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the bicameral Liberian Legislature. Legislative elections took place on 11 October 2005, and the elected members took office in January 2006.-Candidate eligibility:...
since January 2006, and he was Speaker of the House of Representatives
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
from January 2006 to February 2007.
Political career
Snowe attended the St. Andrews high school at Kakata in Margibi CountyMargibi County
Margibi is a county on the north to central coast of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has four districts. Kakata serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
, and he is a graduate of political science from the University of Liberia. He became the son-in-law of Charles Taylor, who was President of Liberia from 1997 to 2003, and was a prominent figure under his government. He also served as the President of the Liberian Football Association.
In the 11 October 2005 legislative election
Liberian elections, 2005
The 2005 Liberian general election was held on 11 October 2005, with a runoff election for the presidency held on 8 November of that year. The presidency, as well as all seats in the House of Representatives and Senate were up for election. The election marked the end of the political transition...
, Snowe ran as an independent candidate in the 5th district of Montserrado County
Montserrado County
Montserrado County is a county in the northwestern portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has four districts. Bensonville serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring , the smallest...
and was elected to the House of Representatives. Subsequently he was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
2007 controversy
Snowe was removed from his position as Speaker in January 2007 following a vote of no confidence. However, a few days later the Supreme Court ordered him to be reinstated, pending Snowe's appeal. According to Snowe, the no-confidence vote was illegal; he alleges that some votes against him were obtained through bribery and that the vote was not legitimate because it did not occur in a city, as required by the constitution. On January 29, the Supreme Court ruled in Snowe's favor, describing his removal as unconstitutional. However, the legislators who attempted to vote Snowe out of his position reportedly intended to again attempt to remove him by holding another vote.The "reinstated Speaker" resigned on Thursday, February 15, 2007 on grounds that he would not go to the township of Virginia for Legislative matters in keeping with article 40 of the Liberian Constitution which states: Neither House shall adjourn for more than five days without the consent of the other and both Houses shall always sit in the same city.
On March 2, Snowe appeared for police questioning in connection with his alleged misappropriation of more than a million dollars when he was managing director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation under the transitional government of Gyude Bryant
Gyude Bryant
Charles Gyude Bryant is a Liberian politician. He served as the Chairman of the Transitional Government of Liberia from 14 October 2003 to 16 January 2006...
. The investigation was postponed until the following week due to Snowe being ill. Snowe appeared for questioning again on March 6. It has been argued that Snowe is immune from prosecution because he is a legislator, but according to justice minister Frances Johnson Morris, immunity can be removed for certain crimes, including corruption. Snowe appeared in court to face the charge against him on April 12. His lawyers filed a bond of $1.8 million U.S. dollars, but the prosecution argued this was inadequate and needed to be doubled, and also argued that the source of the bond, the African Insurance Company of Liberia, could not legally issue it to Snowe. On August 16, 2007, the Monrovia City Court ruled in Snowe's favor, declaring the bond to be "sufficient and valid".