10/06/2025
Update: The Monrovia City Court on Today began preliminary hearings into the case involving some lawmakers charged by the Liberia National Police (LNP) in connection with an alleged arson attack on the Capitol Building.
The hearing is aimed at determining the strength and gravity of the evidence presented by the prosecution. If the judge finds the evidence compelling, the case may be transferred to Criminal Court ‘A’ for full trial.
Four lawmakers appeared in court and where represented by Cllr Jonathan Massaquoe, former Associate Justice Wright, while the prosecution was led by Solicitor General Cllr Augustine C Fayiah, County Attorney Richard Scott ,Cllr Bobby Livingston among others.
Taking the witness stand as prosecution first witness on Today, the LNP Criminal Investigator Inspector Peter Johnson, link the four defendants to separate roles to the commission of the crimes as charge by the Liberia National police.
According to Johnson, Representative Fonati Koffa was charged by the LNP as a major financier in the arson plot, while Rep Dixon Siebo was labeled as the architect of the plan and allegedly helped facilitate the escape of two individuals linked to the attack.
Johnson further testified that Representative Jacob Debe was charged for criminal facilitation, stating that " as a Liberian lawmaker he was in the know of the entire plot of his colleagues, and he chose to keep quiet until the accident occured, reasons for his charge" Johnson said. He also claimed that Representative Abu Kamara’s vehicles were used to help orchestrate the plan.
Inspector Johnson added that Representative Koffa was also charged in relation to a social media post he made with the caption "ALARMO," which was later deleted shortly before the Capitol attack.
As part of the audio evidence, Johnson stated that Representative Koffa acknowledged during investigation that the voice in the recording was his, but denied ever participating in the conversation, which allegedly detailed plans to set a portion of the Capitol Building ablaze. While Rep Kamara and the others said the Audio was AI Generated.
Johnson reiterated that Koffa was allegedly the primary financier of the entire plot, with Dixon Siebo designated to execute the plan alongside other individuals.
Meanwhile, Montserrado County District #5 Representative Priscilla Cooper, also charged by the LNP, through lawyer is expected to request a seperate and severance trial from the four other accused lawmakers. She also waive her rights to the preliminary examinations meaning they will now go for full trial.
As the court adjourned the first day of hearing, some lawmakers expressed frustration with the proceedings. According to reports, Representative Koffa and his colleagues criticized the the first day of hearing as a "waste of time," citing delays such as the lead witness was just requesting to use the bathroom more than several times during testimony.
Interestingly, as the Former Speaker Fonati Koffa was getting in his vehicle one of the reporters asked him that there was this report that the Inspector General Police has called him asking him to apologize and he responded he didn't receive and call from the police. He further went to say inform the Police IG never to call me.
The matter resumes tomorrow with further cross-examination of witness by the Defense lawyers.
This report was compiled in collaboration with judicial reporter Melvin Jackson
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