Monrovia – The Liberia Nationwide Police has once more summoned seven present lawmakers, together with former Home Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, to seem for questioning in reference to the December 18, 2024 hearth that destroyed main parts of the Capitol Constructing.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
This marks the second time the lawmakers have been recognized as “individuals of curiosity” in what authorities are treating as a legal arson investigation.
These summoned embrace Representatives Jonathan Fonati Koffa (Grand Kru County District 2), Frank Saah Foko (Montserrado County District 9), Abu B. Kamara (Montserrado County District 15), Dixon Seboe (Montserrado County District 16), Priscilla Cooper (Montserrado County District 5), Marvin Cole (Bong County District 3), and Jacob Debee (Grand Gedeh County District 3). They’ve been instructed to seem on the Liberia Nationwide Police headquarters on Friday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m.
The summons was introduced in a communication from Police Inspector Normal Gregory Coleman, which was learn throughout Thursday’s common session of the Home of Representatives by Chief Clerk Mildred Siryon.
Based on the communication, the assembly will symbolize the ultimate section of the investigation into the hearth, which occurred simply days after Koffa’s controversial removing as Speaker and resulted in an estimated $8.6 million in damages to the Capitol.
Dependable sources throughout the police have indicated to FrontPageAfrica that the previous Speaker and a few of his colleagues may very well be arrested following Friday’s look. The potential arrests, based on sources, can also be linked to Koffa’s continued demand for advantages tied to his ouster from the speakership — a requirement the federal government has rejected on grounds that his removing was irregular and due to this fact ineligible for compensation.
“This can be a preemptive strike by the federal government,” a police supply said. “They wish to strain Koffa into abandoning his demand for advantages by utilizing the Capitol hearth investigation as leverage.”
Former Speaker Koffa confirmed receiving the invitation however instructed reporters he had not been given particulars concerning doable prices. “Sure, I’ve been invited, however I don’t but know the small print,” he mentioned.
Opposition figures, significantly from the Coalition for Democratic Change, have sharply criticized the federal government’s strategy, characterizing it as a politically motivated try to silence dissent. CDC Secretary Normal Jefferson T. Koijee posted on social media Thursday, alleging that the Unity Celebration-led administration plans to arrest Koffa and warning of penalties.
“Now we have acquired credible intelligence that the Boakai-Koung regime is planning the arrest of Koffa tomorrow at 10AM,” Koijee claimed. “Any try to arrest the previous Speaker will likely be met with stiff and uncompromising resistance.”
Koijee additional accused the federal government of weaponizing the police to focus on political opponents underneath the guise of a legal investigation. “Contact one, contact all,” he declared.
Earlier this yr, CDC Nationwide Chairman Janga A. Kowo additionally condemned the investigation, calling it a marketing campaign of political persecution geared toward eliminating opposition voices.
A number of civil society organizations have echoed these considerations. In a joint assertion on June 5, the Solidarity and Belief for a New Day (STAND), We the Folks Motion, and the July 17 Protest Coalition condemned what they described as a rising sample of secret arrests and arbitrary detentions.
The teams cited the current arrest of Bacchus Karpeh, who they are saying was taken with out a warrant and held with out cost.
“Now we’re listening to credible stories that former Speaker Koffa and different lawmakers will likely be subsequent,” mentioned STAND Chairman Mulbah Morlu. “This can be a blatant violation of Liberia’s Structure and its worldwide obligations.”
Morlu emphasised that such actions injury Liberia’s status globally, significantly following its current election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Safety Council. “You can not champion peace overseas whereas weaponizing state energy at dwelling,” he added.
The Capitol hearth erupted within the early morning hours of December 18, 2024, gutting the Joint Chambers and important parts of the fourth ground of the Capitol Constructing. The incident occurred shortly after the removing of Speaker Koffa, prompting hypothesis of sabotage.
Two people — Thomas Isaac Etheridge, a former upkeep employees, and Eric Susay, an ex-elevator operator—have already been charged in reference to the blaze. Expenses embrace arson, conspiracy, tried homicide, and theft of property. Each males are at the moment being prosecuted in court docket.
Regardless of these arrests, police say new data suggests involvement by political actors, significantly lawmakers affiliated with the CDC, in what they imagine could also be a broader conspiracy to destabilize the federal government.
In response to the newest summons, the Home of Representatives has appointed members of its Judiciary Committee and authorized counsel to accompany the lawmakers to their assembly with the police. The Home pressured that every one people named are entitled to due course of and authorized safety all through the inquiry.
“The Home of Representatives stays assured that the matter will likely be dealt with professionally,” the Home Press Bureau said on Thursday.
With Friday’s assembly looming, tensions are rising. Whereas the police say the inquiry is predicated on authorized grounds, supporters of the accused lawmakers say it’s a clear case of focused prosecution geared toward neutralizing opposition voices.
