|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The principle of justice is blind means that justice is to be meted out impartially, without regard to the identity of the individual being tried. In contrast, many believe that this statement is only theoretical.
However, five seated lawmakers, including former Speaker of the Liberian House of Representatives, Counsellor J. Fonati Koffa, were dragged to the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach) over allegations of arson attack on the country’s parliament.
The five lawmakers were invited by the Liberian National Police (LNP) for questioning on Friday, June 6, 2025, after being linked to the arson attack on the official seat of the Liberian legislature.
Why were they invited?
According to the Police Inspector General (IG), Col. Gregory Coleman, no individual is above the laws of Liberia, regardless of their status or political affiliation. As such, the Liberian National Police (LNP) remains resolute in its commitment to protecting Liberia’s peace.
In a press conference held on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the police headquarters, Col. Coleman disclosed that based on a thorough investigation conducted by the joint security team, there is clear evidence linking the five lawmakers to the incident.
The police IG said, “funds were distributed, alleging links to Representative Dixon Seboe of Montserrado County district #16. Phone conversations revealed that the suspects were planning to set ablaze the vehicles of some legislators. So all of these things were collected over time and analysed before getting where we are today.”
Although they were invited for questioning, they were later held in police custody based on what the police considered prima facie evidence and taken to court on Saturday, June 7, 2025. They were subsequently taken to the Monrovia Central Prison after the lawyer failed to secure a valid bond for their release.
What precipitated the arson attack?
On December 18, 2024, during the early morning hours, the Liberian Legislature or the Capitol Building was set ablaze, leaving that building severely damaged.
Since the incident, a joint security task force comprising the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the National Fire Service of Liberia (NFSL) launched a full-scale investigation into the matter. It arrested several individuals, with the latest being the five lawmakers.
The fire, which occurred on December 18, 2024, resulted from heightened political tensions between members of the House of Representatives over the removal of the former speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, in October of the same year.
What are Liberians’ views about the case?
Isa S. Koroma said that Liberia has set yet another record by charging and jailing seated lawmakers over multiple charges.
Using his official Facebook page, Koroma said, This marks the first time in Liberia’s democratic era that a former Speaker still actively serving in office has been jailed alongside fellow sitting legislators.”
Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. IB Nyei, stated that many politicians believe that being a politician, whether in a ruling or opposition capacity, means they are above the law.
“For most of them, being a politician—ruling party or opposition—should mean an inoculation from criminal accountability. This flawed logic is also promoted by members of the public and their supporters, who perceive their political patrons as privileged individuals who should be above the law. This pattern is part of a culture of impunity that has been evident in postwar Liberia. Despite the killing of more than 250,000 people and the destruction of public infrastructure, no one has yet faced justice for these crimes,” Deputy Minister Nyei said.
However, four main opposition political parties, including the immediate past, George Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), have called on the government to uphold the tenets of due process.
In a statement issued June 7, 2025, they detested what they termed a politically motivated attempt to target opposition figures in the country.
Conclusion
The case commenced on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Temple of Justice in Criminal Court ‘A.’ Preliminary arguments have been heard, with Liberians highly anticipating the outcome.
