Inspector General Coleman Rejects Bribery Accusations in Capitol Arson Case

Monrovia, Liberia: The Inspector General of Liberia National Police, Colonel Gregory Coleman, has firmly denied accusations by defendant John Nyanti that the Government of Liberia attempted to bribe him with over US$200,000 in the ongoing Capitol Building arson investigation.

Addressing the media at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), Colonel Coleman stated that at no time did officers of the Liberia National Police offer Nyanti any form of bribe or incentive to the accused.

He explained that Nyanti’s return to Liberia was facilitated through coordination with Ghanaian state security and a relative, based on the understanding that he could serve as a witness in the case.

“There was no attempt to bribe Nyanti as claimed,” Coleman said. “His return was arranged through proper channels via the Ghanaian government and a family member.

While there were hopes he might cooperate, we are aware that such witnesses can be unpredictable, so we treated the matter carefully and formally charged him.”

Nyanti, who appeared before the Monrovia City Court on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, alleged that the government offered him a large sum of money to provide false testimony in the high-profile case.

Responding to the allegation, the police boss clarified that the police made no promises, issued no threats, and never pushed Nyanti to implicate others.

 “We did not accept his demands, and at no point did we coerce him into giving false statements,” he noted.

Nyanti is one of several individuals accused in relation to the December 2024 arson attack on the Capitol Building, which caused significant damage to the national structure.