-In Capitol Fire Investigation
The Revolutionary National Youth League of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has leveled serious allegations against the Unity Party-led government, claiming authorities are coercing John Nyanti, a key witness in the Capitol building fire investigation, to provide false testimony against several opposition lawmakers.
CDC Youth Chairman Emmanuel M. Johnson declared at a press conference that the Unity Party administration has detained Nyanti unlawfully for twelve days at the Lifestyle Hotel in Thinkers Village, far exceeding the constitutional 48-hour limit for presenting detainees before a court. Johnson asserted that security forces are pressuring Nyanti to implicate former House Speaker Fonati Koffa and Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debee in exchange for a promised $50,000 payment, immunity from prosecution, and relocation to Europe for his family, though only $2,000 has reportedly been paid so far.
Johnson revealed that Nyanti, who had fled to Ghana fearing for his safety, was allegedly persuaded to return through the intervention of his cousin Koffa Nyanti, whom President Joseph Boakai recently appointed as Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Special Envoy for Trade and Investment. The CDC chairman condemned what he called a politically motivated scheme, accusing the government of violating Nyanti’s constitutional rights while describing the Unity Party administration as “a government born on falsehood” with no genuine development agenda.
Despite the alleged inducements, family sources indicate Nyanti has refused to provide false testimony and maintains his innocence, with Johnson demanding his immediate release and calling for international human rights organizations to intervene. When contacted for comment, Liberia National Police spokesperson Cecelia Clarke stated authorities were still verifying the claims before responding.
