Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon is facing yet another legal battle, but this time, it’s not about his contested position in government, it’s a personal dispute with his wife of 25 years.
Just a day after the Supreme Court reserved judgment on the legitimacy of his speakership, Angeline Mamie Worloh Koon filed a lawsuit at the Commercial Court, demanding accountability for income generated from their jointly owned properties.
According to court documents, the couple acquired a property in March 2004 in the Unity Conference Center Community, Virginia, Montserrado County. They developed the land in 2005, constructing five duplexes with a total of ten apartments. The deed, registered in both their names, confirmed their equal ownership.
In 2007, they agreed to rent out the apartments to support their family. However, Angeline claims that since then, Speaker Koon has managed the properties alone, collecting rent, selecting tenants, and excluding her from all financial decisions.
Mrs. Koon alleges that her husband has never provided records of the rental income, despite her repeated requests. In 2007, they projected an annual income of US$5,110, but she says she has no idea whether that target was met, exceeded, or how much has been earned over the past 19 years.
“He has deprived me of my rights to the income generated,” she stated in the lawsuit. “Every effort to get information about our joint property and proceeds from rentals has yielded no results.”
The situation reportedly escalated in 2015 when Angeline confronted her husband about the lack of transparency. She claims he told her to collect receipts from the tenants herself, but when she tried, he allegedly instructed the tenants not to cooperate with her.
“Before I could reach there, he had already told them not to deal with me,” she said. “This is depriving me of my rightful share.”
Represented by her lawyer, Cllr. Moriah Yeakula Korkpor, Angeline is asking the court to compel Speaker Koon to provide a full accounting of the rental income and ensure she receives her 50% share as a co-owner.
The lawsuit adds another layer of controversy to Speaker Koon’s already tumultuous political career. With the Supreme Court yet to rule on the legitimacy of his speakership, this new legal challenge could further strain his public and private life.
As the case proceeds, many will be watching to see whether the court will uphold Angeline’s claims or if Speaker Koon can resolve the dispute outside of court. One thing is clear: after 25 years of marriage, what was once a partnership has now become a legal battleground.
