-As LNP Summons He and Six Others in Capitol Building Arson Investigation
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has summoned seven current lawmakers, including ex-House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, for questioning in the high-profile Capitol Building arson investigation. The move comes at a critical phase in a case that has gripped the nation since flames ravaged the seat of Liberia’s legislature last December.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) formally requested the lawmakers’ presence at a meeting scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the LNP Headquarters. Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman indicated that this session could mark the final phase of the investigation.
The summoned legislators include Montserrado County District #9 Representative Saah Foko, Montserrado County District #15 Representative Abu Kamara, Montserrado County District #16 Representative Dixon W. Seboe, Montserrado County District #5 Representative Priscilla A. Cooper, Bong County District #3 Representative J. Marvin Cole, and Grand Gedeh County District #3 Representative Jacob C. Debee.
The House Judiciary Committee and legal experts will attend to ensure due process and provide necessary counsel during the proceedings. On Tuesday, April 1st. Stephen Broh, a security guard at the Capitol building, was forwarded to the Monrovia City Court on charges of arson, among others. He is accused of conspiring with Thomas Etheridge, Amos Koffa, and John Nyanti to burn the Capitol building on December 18, 2024. According to the police, the suspects drove to the building in a white JAC vehicle, carrying gasoline, which they allegedly used to set the fire.
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco of the Monrovia City Court ruled in favor of the state in the high-profile Capitol Building arson case involving defendants Thomas Etheridge and Eric Sasay. In his ruling, Magistrate Barco stated, “It is the holding of this Court that the Prosecution has established a prima facie case, such that the Defendants can be held to answer further to the crimes as charged.” This decision paves the way for the case to proceed to the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Court “A” for further adjudication.
The defendants are accused of orchestrating a criminal conspiracy to set fire to the Capitol Building, causing an estimated $8 million in damages. According to the prosecution’s first witness, Etheridge and Sasay allegedly purchased gasoline, which they used to ignite the blaze. In January of this year, Joint Security confirmed that the fire incident at the Capitol Building was an act of arson. Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman announced that there is sufficient evidence to support this determination.
Arson refers to the act of deliberately setting fire to property, whether it be buildings, vehicles, or other structures, with the intent to cause damage or destruction. “We have identified people of interest and those people have been contacted and if they fail to come forward, we will have them arrested,” Coleman stated during a press conference on Wednesday.
Coleman and Farr detailed their findings
The Police Inspector General said that the smoke and color of the fire at the Liberian Legislature were caused by an explosive. He believes that a fire prompted by an electrical fault would have started in a particular setting. The Liberia National Police IG continued by revealing that there were containers of explosive substance found on the scene.
Early on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, residents of Capitol Hill and neighboring communities were jolted awake by a fierce blaze engulfing the Capitol—the seat of the Liberian Legislature. The fire rapidly intensified, wreaking havoc on the building, particularly within the Joint Chambers and adjacent areas of the Capitol’s central wing.
The destruction escalated before the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) arrived on the scene shortly after 7:00 AM. However, the LNFS, alongside the Liberia Water and Sewer Cooperation and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), successfully intervened to subdue the flames. Just hours after the incident, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai visited the site and addressed the media, emphasizing that destruction is not a solution to societal problems. He called on the Justice Ministry to launch a prompt investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“We are a poor country and people are trying to help us and other people are bent on destroying this country. [If] you have a problem you have the rule of law. We have every way in this place to be able to listen to you. We will listen to you but we are not going to accept this. We ask the Ministry of Justice [and] all of the security apparatus to investigate this matter. People who are caught, we will deal with them and we will set the tone for all other people who when they get angry they destroy… we will not allow it,” the President emphasized.
In a communication to the House of Representatives and the Senate mid January, the Liberia National Police (LNP) confirmed that it had identified Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, Montserrado County District #9 Representative Saah Foko, Montserrado County District #15 Representative Abu Kamara, Montserrado County District #16 Representative Dixon W. Seboe, Montserrado County District #5 Representative Priscilla A. Cooper, Bong County District #3 Representative J. Marvin Cole, and Grand Gedeh County District #3 Representative Jacob C. Debee.
“We respectfully request a meeting with the identified representatives at a convenient time to discuss the terms and framework of their participation in this investigation. LNP is prepared to provide any necessary support and coordinate closely with your office to ensure a smooth and effective process-” Gregory W. Coleman, Inspector General of the LNP.
About an hour later that same day, Koffa maintained that he was innocent of the crime. “I must reiterate that I am and remain absolutely innocent of any involvement in this event,” Koffa noted via his official Facebook page on Thursday. Speaker Fonati Koffa confirmed that the Liberia National Police has invited him and others to assist in the investigation of a recent fire incident.
Koffa stated that he has fully cooperated with the authorities since the event occurred. He emphasized that all individuals under his employ have also been cooperative. He urged the authorities to seek assistance from international partners to guarantee a fair and impartial investigation. “I again encourage the authorities to seek international partners’ assistance to ensure a fair and impartial investigation,” he said.
