Liberia News: KOFFA REJECTS

Liberia-The Liberia National Police is seeking the appearance of embattled House Speaker and six of his supporters in relation to the ongoing inquiry into circumstances regarding the Capitol Building fire incident.

The Joint Chambers of the Capitol Building December 28 gutted fire in yet-to-be-fathomed circumstances amid two months of leadership debacle necessitated by the removal of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa by group of lawmakers, now majority bloc, on allegation of corruption and other character-damaging charges he has denied.

The House remains stalemated in the wake of the crisis, to which the fire incident has added another flame as the country finds answers to the situation that is classified as national embarrassment.

Recall that the police launched a preliminary fact-finding probe following the incident aimed to ascertain the cause of the fire, and in the event invited embattled Speaker Koffa, Representative Frank Saa Foko of Montserrado County 9th District and others to aid with the preliminary investigation. They were later let go and returned to their respective homes and families.

However, it appears the dust is not yet completely settled and that Koffa and some of his men are yet not off the hook as the Police are once more seeking their appearance as the investigation deepens.

Three persons, all close confidants of the embattled speaker, are presently in the custody of the Liberian government for their alleged complicity in the Capitol Building fire that left the entire joint chambers, once used by the majority bloc, completely annihilated.

The Police (LNP) Thursday wrote the leadership of the House of Representatives, seeking the appearance of several lawmakers identified as “persons of interest” in connection with the fire incident at the Capitol Building last year.

Only Koffa and Saah Foko were invited during the initial summon, but the police have included other lawmakers such as Representatives Dixon Seboe, Marvin Cole, Priscilla Cooper, Abu Kamara, and Jacob C. Debee.

In a communication under the title “Request for engagement with persons of interest in ongoing Police Investigation” and signed by Inspector General, Col. Gregory Coleman to Richard N. Koon, the police indicated how they have acknowledged the gravity of the recent fire incident at the Capitol Building and its impact on the legislative activities and the heritage thereof.

“As part of the ongoing investigations, the police have identified several persons of interest whose insights could be crucial to uncovering circumstances surrounding the incident,” the communication detailed.

The police furthered that “given the sensitive nature of this investigations and the need for transparent proceedings, we would like to inform you that we have identified few members of your House as persons of interest to this ongoing investigation and will be calling them for questioning.”

The LNP made known its full commitment to conducting the investigation as professionally as possible, ensuring that the rights of those concerned are respected.

The police also expressed confidence in the House cooperation as it would enhance their efforts to ensure such incidents do not occur in the furture.

The police invitation of the lawmakers comes a day after the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) alarmed over intelligence that the government was planning to arrest lawmakers, who partisans of the party.

Party Chairman Janka Cole warned against arresting CDC lawmakers as doing so would amount to arresting the entire membership of the party.

There have been growing speculations surrounding the fire incident, and the police had previously denied rumors of an alleged plan to arrest the lawmakers for their purported involvement in the Capitol Building arson attack.

However, tormented Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has reacted to the police invitation for his and others appearance in the fire investigation.

Writing on his Facebook page hours after news of his invitation by the police surfaced, Koffa reiterated his innocence of any involvement in the fire incident.

“I must reiterate that I am remain absolutely innocent of any involvement in this incident,” the embattled Speaker wrote.

He also reminded Liberians of his unflinching cooperation with authorities since the fire incident, which he referred to as “unfortunate occurrence.”

“Since the unfortunate occurrence of this incident, I have consistently cooperated and ensured the cooperation of all persons under my employ,” he furthered expanded.

The Grand Kru District 2 lawmaker has implored the Liberian government to seek “international partners’ assistance” to ensure what he termed a “fair and impartial investigation.”

His authority has since eroded following the election by the majority bloc of Richard Koon as Speaker and was subsequently recognized by the Executive Branch on the fulcrum of the Supreme Court ruling, although not many Liberians, including legal experts agreed with the executive Branch’s decision.