-Koffa, Darbee Describe Arson Charges Against Them
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I.
During the Capitol Building arson case pre-trial hearing on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Former Speaker of the 55th National Legislature, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa vehemently denied the allegations, calling them a “mockery of justice.”
He expressed frustration with what he described as baseless charges built on “lies, innuendo, and misstated facts.” Koffa maintained his innocence and insisted that the accusations were politically motivated.
He further noted, “This is based on lies, innuendo, and misstated facts. It’s a complete mockery of justice.”
In a similar vein, Representative Jacob Darbee criticized the charges as a “complete waste of time,” claiming that the state has no credible evidence to support the allegations against them. According to Darbee, the police claim that he was charged simply because he was in the vehicle during the alleged incident and failed to report the calls that were made. He emphasized that he had not been involved in any criminal activity.
“It’s a waste of my time,” Darbee stated. “According to the police, I am being charged because I was in the vehicle when the calls were made and I didn’t report it. This is a complete waste of time!” Koffa alongside three other opposition lawmakers—Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Darbee II—appeared before the Monrovia City Court on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, to challenge the validity of the charges leveled against them.
The four lawmakers, all members of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), are facing multiple charges, including arson, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, attempted murder, criminal facilitation, and conspiracy, all linked to a destructive fire that took place on December 18, 2024, during the contentious eight-month-long legislative crisis.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Liberia National Police, which accused the lawmakers of orchestrating the blaze. The incident has resulted in tense political climate. The appearance of the opposition lawmakers at the Monrovia City Court has drawn significant attention, with their supporters rallying in solidarity outside the court, calling for their immediate release. They continue to assert that the charges are politically motivated and part of a larger scheme to silence opposition voices within the country’s legislative branch.
The case is set to continue as legal proceedings unfold, and the accused lawmakers have vowed to clear their names in the face of what they believe to be an unjust process.
