Monrovia – 4 main opposition political events have issued a joint name for President Joseph Boakai to nominate a Particular Prosecutor to analyze allegations of police misconduct, witness tampering, and mishandling of proof within the ongoing Capitol arson case.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The events—Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Various Nationwide Congress (ANC), Residents Motion for Change (CMC), and the Motion for Financial Empowerment (MOVEE)—voiced their considerations in an announcement launched on Monday, asserting that the present investigation has been marred by irregularities that threaten the integrity of the justice system.
“As a result of the police and the Ministry of Justice can’t examine themselves, we consider that the appointment of a particular prosecutor—with a letter patent authorizing the investigation and prosecution of legal conduct, witness tampering, and the mishandling of proof—will finest serve the pursuits of justice… It isn’t solely the rights of Liberian residents beneath the Structure which can be at stake, however the Structure itself,” the joint assertion reads.
The opposition events mentioned they have been alarmed by reviews surrounding the investigation and arrest of lawmakers and personal residents linked to the Capitol fireplace—initially declared arson by police investigators.
“We’re involved and want to deliver to the eye of the Liberian public and our worldwide companions problems with grave concern relating to the investigation and arrest of sure lawmakers and different Liberian residents… Based mostly on the info and in accordance with the regulation… we request the appointment of a particular prosecutor to analyze and, the place vital, prosecute confirmed situations of witness tampering by sure members of the Liberian safety forces.”
Whereas expressing assist for the prosecution of these liable for the arson, the opposition warned that flawed investigative processes danger convicting harmless individuals.
“Allow us to be clear: we assist the vigorous prosecution of anybody concerned within the fee of the crime of arson on the Liberian Capitol. Nevertheless, the investigation has been marred by troubling occasions that, if correct care isn’t taken, may result in the conviction of harmless individuals—a grave miscarriage of justice.”
Accused Lawmakers and Rising Skepticism
Since costs have been introduced towards former Home Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, together with Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, Jacob Debee, and Priscillia Cooper, the opposition has raised considerations over the dealing with of the case by police and prosecutors.
In a present of solidarity, celebration leaders—together with former President George Weah (CDC), Alexander Cummings (ANC), Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah (MOVEE), and Musa Hassan Bility (CMC)—gathered on the Temple of Justice and the Monrovia Central Jail in the course of the lawmakers’ detention. They described the arrests as a political maneuver designed to imprison the lawmakers with out due course of.
Witness Tampering and Torture Claims
The opposition assertion detailed a number of incidents that increase considerations of human rights abuses and manipulation of testimony.
Thomas Etheridge: Taken to the Liberia Nationwide Police for questioning on January 9, 2025, within the presence of his lawyer. Later, he was reportedly transferred to the Nationwide Safety Company (NSA) headquarters in White Plains, the place he was allegedly tortured and pressured to signal a ready assertion implicating former Speaker Koffa. He refused and was subsequently charged with arson.
Andrew Lawson and Albert Weah: Arrested by the LNP’s Anti-Theft Unit on January 4 and transferred to NSA custody. Each declare they have been tortured for eight days and compelled to signal false statements. Weah protested that he was at Central Jail the day of the fireplace, whereas Lawson mentioned he was provided $2,000 USD to signal a false confession, which he refused. Each have been later launched on Tubman Boulevard. Lawson has since fled the nation and reportedly given testimony overseas as a sufferer of torture.
John Nyanti: Allegedly lured to testify towards the lawmakers. Upon arrival in Monrovia on June 6, he was taken by police to the Way of life Luxurious Resort, the place he remained for eight days. He claimed he was provided between $50,000 and $200,000 USD to implicate former Speaker Koffa. Members of the family reportedly confirmed the story. He refused the supply and was later charged after spending 11 days in custody—properly past the 48-hour constitutional restrict.
Baccus Karpeh, Patrick Hallie, and Gabriel Fansieh: Arrested on June 4 and held for over 5 days on arson costs. They have been launched with out clarification after allegedly refusing to implicate others. Their solely obvious connection to the case was residing in District #16 and having ties to Rep. Seboe.
Christian Koffa: Arrested on the identical writ however stays lacking. His household alleges he has been kidnapped. He has not been seen by his lawyer and is reportedly being held at a separate lodge and coerced to testify falsely.
Allegations of Bias and Selective Justice
The opposition events argue that arson, whereas severe, isn’t a capital offense and doesn’t justify the denial of bail. They declare selective justice is being utilized and query why different leads haven’t been pursued.
“The arbitrary denial of this proper to chose people on obvious political grounds not solely violates the Structure but in addition undermines the precept of neutral justice.”
They additional questioned who eliminated the chairs from the Joint Chambers,ccut {the electrical} wires to the Speaker’s workplace and the way may 5 individuals enter a guarded constructing, set it ablaze, and go away undetected.
They questioned why no clarification been given for the lawmaker reportedly seen on the Capitol round 9:00 p.m. the evening earlier than the fireplace and whether or not {an electrical} fault or different non-incendiary trigger are being thought of.
Additionally they refuted a declare by the Police Inspector Normal that “we all know it was not {an electrical} fireplace as a result of the electrical energy was nonetheless on,” calling it “patently false.”
Remaining Enchantment for Justice
“We urge the President to nominate a Particular Prosecutor to analyze these grave allegations at this essential juncture. It isn’t solely the rights of Liberian residents beneath the Structure which can be at stake, however the Structure itself,” the assertion signed by Atty. Janga A. Kowo – Nationwide Chairman, CDC, Cllr. Lafayette O. Gould – Nationwide Chairman, Various Nationwide Congress ANC, Mr. James Yougie – Nationwide Chairman, CMC and Mr. Prince G. Mehn – Nationwide Chairman, MOVEE.
