Liberian News: “We Will Deconstruct The Basket Of Lies”

Monrovia–Former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has sharply responded to charges brought against him and other lawmakers over the Capitol Building arson attack saying that he will deconstruct the basket of lies.

Addressing journalists minutes following his release from the Monrovia Central Prison and a day before his court appearance, the former speaker fiercely rejected criminal charges that tie him to last year’s fire attack that destroyed the Capitol Building. Koffa in strong words, described the prosecution’s case as a “basket of lies, innuendos, and misstatements vowing to dismantle every accusation in court.

Koffa, released on a whopping US$440,000 bond, used his first public statement to shift attention to remarks made by Liberia’s Police Inspector General, Gregory Coleman. During a recent press briefing, Coleman described the case as “highly political,” a comment Koffa has seized upon as evidence that the charges are driven by partisan motives. “Did you hear what the IG said?” Koffa asked pointedly. “He said this is a highly political case. So don’t listen to the partisans, listen to the head of the police himself.”

The charges stem from a 34-page investigative report presented by Coleman, which outlines what authorities describe as overwhelming evidence linking Koffa and four fellow lawmakers to two destructive incidents: the November 10, 2024 vandalism of the House chambers and the December 18, 2024 arson attack that engulfed the Joint Chambers, causing more than $8.6 million in damage and nearly killing staff members trapped inside.

At the center of the case is Thomas “Tom” Etheridge, Koffa’s former maintenance chief, who along with three others has already been indicted for arson, attempted murder, and conspiracy. Investigators alleged that the attacks were part of an internal power struggle to remove Koffa from his position as Speaker.

Koffa and his co-accuse, Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, Jacob Debee II, and Priscilla Cooper face serious charges under Liberia’s Penal Code: criminal conspiracy, arson, and attempted murder. All five have been hit with a travel ban under a Writ of Ne Exeat Republica, effectively grounding them inside Liberia until the court resolves the matter.

Despite Liberia’s often divided political landscape, the detentions have sparked an unusual wave of unity across party lines. Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, Alternative National Congress (ANC) leader Alexander Cummings, and All Liberian Party (ALP) executive Telia Urey have all spoken out in defense of the accused lawmakers.

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.