State Prosecutors Seek to Include Montserrado District #12 Lawmaker in the Ongoing Arson Trial

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, is making a frantic effort to include Montserrado County Electoral District # 12 Representative Jerry K. Yogboh in the December 18, 2024, Capitol Building arson trial.

State lawyers have subsequently filed a motion to amend the indictment, requesting that Representative Yogboh be named as a co-defendant in the much much-publicized case.

State prosecutors reference Article 14, Subchapter 14.7 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia, contending that the motion to amend the indictment is both lawful and necessary.

According to state lawyers, new findings allegedly linked Representative Yogboh to the arson attack on the Capitol Building.

However, defense lawyers objected to prosecution's motion to include Representative Yogboh terming the move as legally flawed and procedurally weak.

The defense lawyers counter-argued that Representative Yogboh was not initially mentioned in the original indictment, and was never mentioned during preliminary investigations.

The defense further contended that the prosecutors’ attempt to implicate a sitting legislator without clear evidence appears politically motivated and unsupported by law.

meanwhile, after entertaining arguments from both sides, Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie is expected to rule on the motion as the trial continues.