Monrovia – Prison Courtroom “A” on the Temple of Justice has accepted a US$500,000 property bond for six defendants accused of orchestrating the December 2024 arson assault on the Capitol Constructing, changing beforehand stringent bail situations that had drawn heavy criticism.
By Willie Tokpah
The defendants—Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac Etheridge, Stephen Broh, and Gabriel Fansieh—face a number of felony costs, together with arson, felony conspiracy, tried homicide, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Decide Roosevelt Z. Willie signed off on the bond on Monday, August 4, following the authorized presentation of a property deed valued at US$6 million. The bond was secured by sureties Randolph S. Cole and Rufina J. Cole, represented by Patrick B. Coleman, who supplied a two-story constructing with a sound deed, present tax clearance, and Liberia Income Authority (LRA) receipts.
Courtroom paperwork stipulate that the bond ensures the defendants’ look in courtroom starting Tuesday, August 6 at 1:00 PM, and for all subsequent proceedings till the case is totally adjudicated. The sureties have dedicated their property ought to the defendants abscond or fail to adjust to courtroom orders.
The costs stem from a coordinated assault that authorities say triggered in depth injury to the Capitol Constructing. Prosecutors allege the group used incendiary gadgets and firearms, and conspired with unknown accomplices in a politically motivated act of destruction. Further costs embrace felony mischief, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and theft of property.
Protection legal professionals keep the accused are harmless, arguing that no direct proof hyperlinks them to the assault. They’ve additionally alleged political interference and violations of due course of.
“It is a high-profile case with critical implications,” one authorized observer famous. “Now that bail has been secured, the main focus will shift to the authorized arguments and proof introduced at trial.”
Authorized groups led by Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi and Cllr. Richard J. Scott are anticipated to argue preliminary motions in the course of the subsequent listening to.
Courtroom Registrar Davidetta S. Davies formally logged the bond approval at 11:44 PM on July 24, guaranteeing procedural compliance.
Backlash Over Preliminary Bail Circumstances
Final week, Decide Willie got here beneath intense scrutiny after imposing what protection legal professionals referred to as “extreme” and “punitive” bail necessities. The preliminary ruling mandated 4 human sureties per defendant, every with verified property possession—an escalation from the customary two.
“This was an unjustified burden, particularly given the dearth of compelling proof from the prosecution,” a protection lawyer stated.
The protection workforce had initially submitted a US$6 million bond, which the courtroom rejected beneath the earlier phrases. Critics warned that such harsh situations may set a troubling precedent for politically delicate prosecutions in Liberia.
“NOW THEREFORE, WE the sureties, Randolph J. Cole and Rufina J. Cole proprietor of stated Deed and a Two Stairs Approach Constructing thereon, duly registered and probated and licensed by legislation to be surety bond, do hereby supplied our property and Deed consultant, assigns and successors in curiosity collectively and severally unto the defendants within the Quantity of US$500,000.00 (5 Hundred Thousand United States {Dollars}). For and on behalf of the defendants) to look, on sixth day of August, A.D. 2025 on the hour of 1:00pm for the listening to of stated case to incorporate all different succeeding hearings till the stated matter is totally adjudicated and that the inside defendant is hereby acquitted or responsible.” – Randolph J. Cole and Rufina J. Cole, sureties
The case continues to draw nationwide consideration, with the subsequent listening to scheduled for August 6.
How did we get right here?
On December 18, 2024, a bit of Liberia’s Capitol Constructing—dwelling to the Nationwide Legislature—was engulfed in flames in what authorities have described as a deliberate act of arson. The incident occurred throughout heightened political tensions.
The fireplace triggered important injury to the Capitol Constructing dome and joint chamber as emergency responders battled the blaze for hours,
Following a months-long investigation, the Liberia Nationwide Police arrested a number of suspects: Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac Etheridge, Stephen Broh, and Gabriel Fansieh. Authorities claimed the boys acted in coordination with a number of high lawmakers. The defendants had been later indicted by the Ministry of Justice on a number of costs, together with arson, felony conspiracy and tried homicide.
Critics have raised issues about due course of, alleging that some arrests had been primarily based on unverified intelligence and weak proof. Protection attorneys have maintained their purchasers’ innocence and argue that the costs are politically pushed.
The case, now earlier than Prison Courtroom “A”, is seen as a serious take a look at of the judicial system’s independence and the federal government’s dedication to transparency and justice. The trial is ongoing, with the subsequent courtroom look scheduled for August 6, 2025.
