Liberian News: Koffa, Others Fight For Fate

Monrovia-In the high-stakes Capitol Building Arson case ongoing at the Monrovia City Court, former Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and his co-defendants await their fate today whether the Judge will grant or deny defense lawyers’ motion for the dismissal.

The Judge reserved ruling yesterday after Defense Lawyers requested the exclusion of the social media evidence submitted by the Prosecution.

Representatives Koffa, Abu Kamara, Jacob Debee, Dixon Seboeand Priscilia Cooper are on trial in connection to the Capitol Building Arson to which they are linked.

On day two of the case, lawyers representing Representative Koffa and others filed a motion to exclude the social media evidence submitted by the prosecution.

The motion to exclude the social media evidence was however denied by the Judge, opting to make a determination today.

What happens today, according to legal practitioners, sets the basis for the admissibility or inadmissibility of recordings and text messages presented by the prosecution in the case.

Prosecution lawyers quoted Criminal Procedure Law section 25.3b in their defense of the use of the social media evidence in the case.

Both legal teams concluded their arguments in the case that is rooted in the December 18, 2025 blaze that damaged portions of the Capitol Building.

The case has since drawn national attention due to the stature of the accused and the questionable strength of the prosecution’s evidence.

Koffa’s defense team requested the court to dismiss the chargesfor lack of merit, relying almost entirely on what it labeled “open source” materials from social media platforms.

However, the presiding judge denied the motion, opting instead to reserve final judgment for Friday, when a ruling is expected.

Today’s decision, according to legal experts, is pivotal as to the determination whether to throw out the charges altogether or forward the case to Criminal Court ‘A’ for full trial proceedings.

Recall that prosecutors conceded in open court that their case hinges on evidence drawn from unspecified social media platforms, failing to name particular posts or platforms that directly implicated the accused.

The Liberia National Police (LNP) last week brought charges against the five suspects (all of whom are lawmakers) for the alleged roles in the circumstances leading to the fire incident which left the Joint Chambers and parts adjacent totally ruined.

LNP said further investigations revealed compelling evidence

linking the concerned lawmakers to the orchestration and financing of the attack.

The police said investigators found credible links to sabotage efforts dating back to November 2024 by Jonathan Fonati Koffa(former Speaker of the House of Representatives), and charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia, and Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4).

Also, the LNP charged that Abu Kamara & Jacob C. Debee participated in planning meetings and facilitated logistical support, and charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia with Arson (Chapter 15, Section 15.1), Criminal Mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5), recklessly endangering another Person (Chapter 14, Section 14.23), criminal attempt to Commit

Murder (Chapter 10, Section 10.1), criminal Facilitation (Chapter 10, Section10.2), criminal Solicitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.3) and criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4).

Meanwhile, the police said Thomas Isaac Etheridge (alias Tom) employee of the Capitol Building, Chief of Maintenance, Office of Representative Jonathan Fonati Koffa involved in damaging the chambers on November 10, 2024, and setting fire on December 18, 2024.

He is being charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia with Arson (Chapter 15, Section 15.1), criminal Mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5), recklessly Endangering another Person (Chapter 14, Section 14.23), Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder (Chapter 10, Section 10.1), Criminal Facilitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.2)

• Criminal Solicitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.3), Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4), release of Destructive Forces (Chapter 15, Section 15.4), among other charges.

New Republic Liberia

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.