Demands USD $1.5 Million in Damages
Monrovia, Liberia – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, has
filed USD 1.5M lawsuit at the Civil Law Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Montserrado County, against the Bukonjdeh Group of Companies and its Chief Executive Officer, Elton Johns, for what he described as “malicious and defamatory publications” intended to destroy his character and reputation.
The former Speaker filed the complaint before Resident Circuit Judge J. Kennedy Peabody on September 23, 2025, and is requesting at least USD $1,000,000.00 in general damages and USD $500,000.00 in punitive damages from the defendants. “That the defendants be ordered to pay compensatory and punitive damages in the amount of USD $1.5 million”
As a lawyer by profession and a member of the Supreme Court Bar, Koffa described himself in his complaint as “a highly responsible and reputable citizen of the Republic of Liberia whose character and experiences over the years earned him a place as an elected Representative of Electoral District #2, Grand Kru County, and subsequently as Speaker of the 55th National Legislature of the House of Representatives, Republic of Liberia.”
The Grand Kru County Lawmaker alleges that the defendants published statements portraying him as corrupt, criminal, dishonest, and unfit to hold public office. He contends that these statements were false, malicious, and intended to tarnish his reputation both as a lawyer and as a public official.
In addition, the plaintiff alleged that the disclosures were intended to degrade his political and professional reputation and expose him to public hatred, hostility, and mockery. He further states that the defendants’ actions caused him irreversible harm to his reputation and character, as well as extreme emotional pain and mental agony.
Koffa also asserted that the defendants’ publications have damaged his relationship with colleagues and the general public, resulting in financial and personal losses. He emphasizes that the defamatory statements interfered with his ability to perform his professional duties and obstructed his capacity to engage in public service.
Along with compensatory and punitive damages, the plaintiff is also seeking an order to stop further publishing of defamatory material about him, an apology from the defendants, and a public retraction of the comments.
He prays that all costs of these proceedings will be ruled against the Defendants, and that he be granted any and all further relief as the Honourable Court may deem just, legal, and equitable.
Reported by: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I
