MONROVIA – Allegations of political coercion, illegal detention, and human rights violations have surfaced within the high-profile investigation into the December 18, 2024 hearth that devastated sections of the Liberian Capitol Constructing.
The claims focus on John Nyanti, a key determine named within the case, who was lately returned to Liberia below disputed circumstances and is now allegedly being held below state surveillance.
The hearth, which broke out within the early hours of December 18, 2024, induced in depth harm to the legislative chambers of the Capitol Constructing in Monrovia, disrupting parliamentary operations and prompting a nationwide safety investigation.
Preliminary assessments steered arson, and the incident rapidly took on political overtones amid hypothesis about potential sabotage.
Investigators later named a number of outstanding lawmakers as individuals of curiosity within the case, together with former Home Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Bana Kamara, and Jacob Debee. All have been affiliated with the then-ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). The case escalated politically as requires accountability clashed with accusations of political witch-hunting.
By January 2025, studies indicated that a number of people linked to the case had fled the nation, together with John Nyanti, whose position remained ambiguous however who was later recognized by authorities as a possible state witness.
On June 6, 2025, Nyanti was introduced again to Liberia from Ghana below what his household describes as a “misleading and involuntary” association. In keeping with his sister and household spokesperson, Priscilla Nyanti, John had sought refuge in Ghana earlier this yr as a consequence of fears for his private security following his alleged affiliation with the Capitol hearth.
Chatting with the media, Madam Nyanti alleged that her brother was lured again to Liberia by way of a deal brokered by the Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP), the Nationwide Safety Company (NSA), and a relative, Koffa Nyanti.
She mentioned the settlement included a promise of authorized immunity, a money fee of US$50,000, and relocation to a European nation—just for the household to later be taught that these commitments weren’t fulfilled.
“John was not returned voluntarily,” Priscilla mentioned. “He was coerced and brought on to the Way of life Lodge in Thinkers Village, the place he has been below fixed surveillance by state safety forces.”
She added that her brother was taken on June 16 to LNP headquarters and given a three-page questionnaire to help with a potential testimony implicating lawmakers beforehand linked to the arson case. In keeping with the household, John refused to conform, asserting his innocence and rejecting what they described as a “damaged deal.”
“He has made it clear that he is not going to mislead convey others down simply to satisfy a promise the federal government didn’t honor,” Priscilla said.
The CDC Youth League has condemned the federal government’s actions, calling them unconstitutional and politically motivated. Throughout a press briefing in Monrovia, CDC Youth League Chairman Emmanuel M. Johnson mentioned Nyanti’s detention violated Article 21 of the Liberian Structure, which requires that any detained particular person be introduced earlier than a courtroom inside 48 hours.
“John Nyanti has been held for greater than 12 days with out cost or courtroom look. It is a clear abuse of energy and a menace to the integrity of our justice system,” Johnson mentioned.
He additional accused the federal government of utilizing coercive ways to extract testimony and labeled Nyanti’s return as a part of a broader political agenda.
Johnson claimed that the involvement of John’s cousin, Koffa Nyanti — who has since been appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Particular Envoy for Commerce and Funding — steered a quid professional quo.
“The appointment raises critical questions on whether or not authorities positions are getting used as rewards for backdoor political preparations,” he mentioned.
The CDC Youth League known as on the worldwide group, human rights organizations, and diplomatic missions to launch an impartial investigation into the circumstances of Nyanti’s return and alleged detention.
Repeated makes an attempt to acquire official responses from the Ministry of Justice, NSA, and LNP have been unsuccessful. LNP spokesperson Cecelia Clarke, when contacted, declined to remark, stating that she was not licensed to talk on the matter with out higher-level clearance.
The continuing controversy surrounding the Capitol arson case and the therapy of John Nyanti has raised considerations about due course of, constitutional rights, and the independence of Liberia’s authorized system. Critics argue that if the allegations of coercion and secret offers are true, the investigation could also be tainted by political interference.
The Boakai administration, which took workplace pledging transparency and the rule of regulation, now faces mounting stress to make clear the standing of the investigation and be sure that all authorized procedures are adopted.
