By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia: Cllr. Philomena Tugbe Williams, the President of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), has warned against the politicization of Liberia’s legal system, asserting that the nation’s democratic foundations would be systematically undermined when political actors manipulate adherence to the rule of law for partisan advantage. AFELL is an apolitical and non-profit organization that exists to advocate for the promotion, protection, and advancement of the rights of women, children, and indigent persons across Liberia.
The legal body President emphasizes that the fundamental principle of equality before the law must remain inviolable, stressing that “The rule of law, simply means the legal system is available to all and everyone must obey the law. Whether it’s the President of AFELL, the President of the Liberia National Bar Association, or the President of the Republic of Liberia, we must all obey for the peace and security of our beloved Liberia.”
Cllr. Williams’ comments come as Criminal Court A prepares to take seize of Capitol Building arson case involving former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and other lawmakers. Last Friday, the Monrovia City Court ordered the transfer of the Capitol Building arson case involving Koffa and others to Criminal Court A, marking the next phase in the legal proceedings. The City Court Stapentary Magistrate – Ben Barco ruled Friday, June 13, 2025, that the case would proceed to a full trial, directing the court clerk to forward all legal documents to Criminal Court A for further action.
Ahead of this, the AFELL president called for statesmanship rather than gamesmanship from political leaders. “Our democracy is compromised when we politicize adherence to the rule of law. We urge political actors to be politically tactful in addressing national concerns relative to the Rule of Law. Others in leadership should exhibit leadership acumen in navigating complex dynamic issues with discernment as it relates to the rule of law.”
Cllr. Williams framed the rule of law as Liberia’s indispensable stabilizing force – the common thread connecting justice, economic development, and national security. “Regardless of our individual interpretation, there is a compelling need for everyone to adhere to the Rule of Law. The Rule of Law is fundamental to ensure justice, peace, security, economic growth, and political security in Liberia.”
The charges are tied to the December 18, 2025 blaze that occurred during the major legislative crisis. Former Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa was charged and forwarded to court along with Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debee II in connection with thealleged arson attack which damaged the joint chambers and other parts.
The lawmakers have since vehemently denied the allegations, calling them a “mockery of justice.” They have maintained their innocence and insisted that the accusations were politically motivated. The ruling, delivered by Stipendiary Magistrate Ben Barco, comes after a preliminary hearing into a capital arson case
They were charged by the Liberia National Police (LNP) under Chapter 10 of the Revised Penal Code on Charges including arson, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, attempted murder, criminal facilitation, and conspiracy.
Defense lawyers earlier argued that the prosecution lacked direct evidence linking the lawmakers to the alleged arson. They contended that the evidence presented was sourced from third-party devices, not directly from the defendants. “Evidence for conviction must be direct, not from a third party,” they argued, urging the court to dismiss the charges.
In contrast, the prosecution maintained that the evidence is credible and sufficiently connects the defendants to the crime, urging the court to allow the matter to proceed to trial. On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Magistrate Barco ruled on a motion by the defense to quash the evidence, which they claimed was obtained through improper means, including searches and seizures involving individuals not on trial.
However, the court noted that the evidence in question had already been testified to, marked, and admitted into the record without any objection from the defense at the time. The prosecution used this procedural lapse to argue that the defense had effectively waived its right to challenge the evidence, citing a “waiver of laches.” In his ruling, Magistrate Barco denied the defense motion, stating: “When the evidence has been testified to, there is no way the court can revert its decision.”
As a result, the case has been transferred to Criminal Court ‘A’ for full trial proceedings. Before this, Inspector-General Gregory O. Coleman claimed “overwhelming physical and testimonial evidence” links the lawmakers to two attacks: a 10 November 2024 vandalism that damaged the House chamber and an 18 December conflagration that gutted the Joint Chambers.
Though not directly mentioning this case, AFELL urge against the politicization of Liberia’s legal system blinds with its commitment to adherence and respect for the rule of law. The Association (AFELL) was established on February 10, 1994, during Liberia’s civil crisis when the collapse of legal systems left women and children particularly vulnerable to abuse and injustice. Born out of this urgent need for legal protection, AFELL has grown over three decades into Liberia’s preeminent organization championing gender equality and access to justice through its unique composition of female legal professionals and its dual approach to direct legal services coupled with systemic advocacy.
Registered as a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organization under Liberian law, AFELL operates through its two foundational pillars: the Legal Aid Clinic which provides crucial pro bono representation to indigent clients who cannot afford legal services, and the specialized Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) unit that leads the fight against gender-based violence through litigation, policy reform and survivor support programs. The organization’s membership consists exclusively of Liberia’s female lawyers, judges, and legal practitioners who volunteer their expertise to advance AFELL’s mission of protecting women’s rights, children’s welfare, and equitable access to justice.
Throughout its thirty-year history, AFELL has achieved transformative legal milestones including pioneering gender-sensitive reforms to inheritance and domestic violence laws, advocating successfully for increased women’s political representation, strengthening child protection mechanisms, and establishing critical legal precedents in prosecuting sexual violence cases. Beyond individual legal victories, the organization has fundamentally reshaped Liberia’s justice landscape by making the legal system more accessible to historically marginalized groups through rural legal clinics, community education programs, and strategic impact litigation.
