Former House Speaker Koffa Questions Credibility of Arson Charges, Cites Lack of Evidence

Monrovia Liberia: Today June 11, 2025 prosecutors in the high-profile Capitol Building arson case acknowledged in open court that their primary evidence against former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and several other lawmakers stems solely from social media content.

The disclosure comes just days after the Monrovia City Court ordered the release of Koffa and three other lawmakers—Abu B. Kamara of Montserrado County District #15, Dixon Seboe of District #16, and Jacob Debee of Grand Gedeh County District #3—following two nights in pretrial detention at the Monrovia Central Prison.

The release was secured after the defendants posted a property bond valued at US$1.8 million. The bond, approved by Stipendiary Magistrate Ben Barco on Monday, allows the accused lawmakers to remain in the custody of their legal team while awaiting trial.

The group stands accused of orchestrating the December 18, 2024, arson attack on the Capitol Building, which severely damaged the legislative complex—including the Joint Chambers—and caused an estimated US$8.6 million in destruction.

At their second court appearance today, June 11, Former Speaker Koffa reiterated his position that the charges are based on weak and unsubstantiated claims. 

He criticized the government’s handling of the case, characterizing it as politically motivated and lacking in legal merit.

Koffa also raised concerns regarding the role of the police, asserting that law enforcement was responsible for security at the Capitol during the time of the alleged incident. 

He questioned why the prosecution has not considered the police as possible co-conspirators and suggested a lack of transparency in the ongoing investigation.

“senseless and illegal political witch hunt.” He challenged the legitimacy of the evidence, asserting that none of it meets the standard required for a criminal trial.

Representative Koffa aslo questioned "why the prosecution has not clarified the origin or credibility of the evidence presented against the them".