MONROVIA-Former Home Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and others going through varied counts of indictments in connection to the December 8, 2024 Capitol Constructing Hearth arson have filed a brand new movement because the case drags steadily to its logical and conclusive finish.
Koffa, Representatives Dixon W. Seboe, Abu S. Kamara, and Jacob C. Debbie, charged typically in the past by the Liberian authorities, are demanding proof, accusing prosecutors of hiding very important proof proving their non-involvement in a conspiracy to set the Legislature ablaze has been withheld.
They’re in search of a court docket order that ultimately compels the prosecutors to launch the socalled proof.
On Monday August 11, the lawmakers filed a movement in Felony Courtroom “A,” demanding complete entry to all paperwork and proof the Ministry of Justice has utilized to acquire their pretend indictment.
The movement comes amid the state’s obvious reluctance to reveal proof over six weeks following their arrest is a violation of their constitutional proper to a good and speedy trial.
The movement states “The only real function of this Movement for Discovery is to afford them the chance to traverse the averments as couched within the indictment together with the proof, and to exculpate, vindicate, or exonerate themselves from the crimes charged,” the movement elaborates.
Koffa and his colleagues are charged with critical offenses together with arson, felony mischief, conspiracy, and tried homicide.
They’re sternly arguing their innocence, insisting that they’d no prior information or involvement in any alleged plan to burn down the Capitol.
Their authorized troubles stem from a devastating hearth that engulfed the Capitol Constructing in December 2024, which homes Liberia’s Senate and Home of Representatives.
It’s held that the fireplace was deliberately set as a part of a broader felony conspiracy amongst sure lawmakers and their associates.
On Might 16, 2025, a Monrovia Metropolis Courtroom issued writs of arrest for former Speaker Koffa, Seboe, Kamara, Debbie, and extra people implicated within the case.
The costs included arson, felony conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms, amongst others.
After their arrests, they posted property valuation bonds and have been subsequently ordered to seem in court docket when summoned.
Nevertheless, the case was later transferred to Felony ‘A’ after Justice of the Peace L. Ben Barco discovered no possible trigger throughout a preliminary listening to.
The movement filed accused prosecutors of failing to provide the proof important for the protection’s preparation, resulting in important delays that the protection argues infringe upon their rights.
Protection attorneys led by Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi stated the dearth of disclosure is “not solely unjust but additionally impedes their means to scrutinize the prosecution’s case, contest its claims, and mount a sturdy protection.”
Cllr. Massaquoi has sworn an affidavit affirming the truthfulness of the allegations said within the movement and is advocating for Decide Roosevelt Z. Willie to compel the Ministry of Justice to launch all pertinent proof and guarantee a immediate trial in keeping with the constitutional rights of the defendants.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been within the career for over twenty years. He has labored for a lot of worldwide media retailers together with: West Africa Journal, Africa Week Journal, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Instances, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He’s the present correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in Worldwide Relations and a candidate for second grasp in Worldwide Peace research and Battle Decision from the College of Liberia.
