Monrovia, Liberia – The broad 63-count indictment against former House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and three current members for the December 18, 2024, arson assault on the Capitol Building is based more on affiliations than concrete facts, according to legal experts.
Koffa, Reps. Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debbie were among 16 people charged in the indictment, which was unveiled by the Montserrado County Special Grand Jury on June 16, 2025. The allegations ranged from attempted murder and arson to criminal conspiracy and the unauthorized unleashing of destructive forces.
However, the state’s case against Koffa noticeably lacks tangible links to the actual planning or execution of the assault, despite the seriousness of the charges and the estimated $3.8 million in damage. A suspect suggested visiting Koffa’s home following the fire incident, per an audio tape referenced in Count Three of the indictment. However, the indictment contains no recordings or transcripts in which Koffa is specifically named or charged.
The only other reference is two of his employees participating in a group conversation where other people spoke about erasing evidence. Defense lawyers have frequently argued that there is not enough proof to show that Koffa was directly involved in or aware of the WhatsApp chartroom’s audio recordings and texts.
Koffa is not charged with any physical or verbal acts connected to the attack, in contrast to the other defendants, some of whom are identified on recordings that describe gasoline sales, the use of force against law officers, and the making of petrol bombs.
The defense attorney claims that the evidence against Koffa and his associates is based on proximity that is, being close to individuals and having conversations rather than action.
They argued that, according to Liberia’s criminal procedure legislation, conspiracy requires more than just silence or compassion; there must be active cooperation or assistance.
As one of the defendants’ attorneys put it, “this is not a case built on action, but proximity, proximity to people and conversations.” According to Liberian law, conspiracy calls for more than just quiet or pity. Active participation or agreement is required.
Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to prevent a bid by the Unity Party to remove Koffa from his position as speaker, the indictment comes amid heightened political tension. According to a few analysts, the accusations are a punishment tactic dressed as legal robes. Speaking to a former Ministry of Justice official who asked to remain anonymous, “it’s either politically motivated or incredibly premature. Unless you have proof, you don’t accuse a man of burning the legislature.”
Co-defendants Christian Kofa, Amos Kofa, Thomas Etheridge, and others are accused in court records of carrying out the real attack. They allegedly obtained gasoline, started the fire, and used chemical agents such tear gas to obstruct legislative proceedings.
Plans to attack police officers, damage public property, and target majority politicians are captured on tape. According to the documents, co-defendant Kivi Bah wrote a letter outlining the scheme and naming additional people. The letter alleged that individuals gathered on December 17 in the vicinity of Jallah Town Road parking lot to confirm the plan for arson the next morning.
The prosecution may find it difficult to establish Koffa and his associates’ direct involvement beyond circumstantial evidence, even as the indictment depicts a concerted and violent plot to topple Liberia’s legislature. Due to the lack of direct involvement or purpose, sources close to Koffa’s legal team indicate that a request to dismiss or sever his case is likely. The former speaker has not yet responded publicly.
Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie will preside over the larger case during the August Term of Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia. It is unclear if this case will result in convictions or fall apart due to political overtones and gaps in the evidence.
Credit: G. Watson Richards
