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Monrovia-The Monrovia City Court has imposed a travel ban on former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and four other lawmakers in connection with the December 2024 fire that gutted the Capitol Building.
The court’s order, issued over the weekend by Stipendiary Magistrate Ben Barco, followed a petition from state prosecutors seeking a Writ of Ne Exeat Republica—a legal mechanism barring defendants from leaving the country while facing criminal prosecution.
Lawmakers affected include Reps. Fonati Koffa, Abu BanaKamara, Dixon Wlawlee Seboe, Jacob C. Debee, and Priscilla A. Cooper. All five face multiple charges, including arson, criminal conspiracy, and criminal facilitation, stemming from the police investigation into the Capitol blaze.
According to judicial sources, Magistrate Barco has directed all national security agencies to arrest the lawmakers “living or attempting to depart” through any of the country’s exit points.
The move comes just one day after Koffa and three of the accused lawmakers were remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison pending trial, deepening the legal and political fallout from the high-profile case.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.