Sen. Chea Demands Rule of Law Over ‘Political Retribution’ in Capitol arson Case
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Sinoe County Senator Augustine Chea has issued a scathing critique of the government’s prosecution of former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and other lawmakers, accusing authorities of orchestrating a “politically motivated charade” disguised as justice.
In a statement via his official Facebook page over the weekend, the Senator noted: “I seek nothing but a fair and impartial process grounded in the rule of law and respect for the constitutional rights of the accused. Let the law prevail over grudges and retribution.”
His concern is backed by experience of the unusual handling of the Capitol fire case, referencing the fact that Koffa and co-accused were made to wait eight hours at police headquarters before being charged—timed to ensure overnight detention since courts had closed.
His words: “Why invite the accused (former Speaker Koffa et al) to the police HQ at 9am only to hold them there until about 5pm to arrest and charge them? Why that was not done as soon as they arrived there and take them to the City Court for arraingment, since the grand jury is not sitting, but waited until the courts were closed for the day? And why that couldn’t be done even before Friday? We all know that the investigation into the Capitol fire has been concluded, and that the accused availed themselves whenever they were needed.”
He continued, “The only logical explanation for doing that was to ensure that they were not taken to court where they could be bailed out or released to their lawyers or on personal recognizance. It was their plan to humiliate them by their detention.”
Furthermore, Senator Chea asserted that… “Accused persons are presumed innocent until their guilt is established. They’re not convicts. All accused persons are entitled to equal treatment or equal protection, not selective treatment or protection.”
The lawmaker highlighted glaring inconsistencies: “while Unity Party Alliance’s Rep. Priscilla Cooper was granted medical bail, CDC’s Abu Kamara—reportedly also ill—was denied the same privilege. why was Rep. Priscilla Cooper (Unity Party Alliance) granted bail for medical reasons and the same was denied for Abu Kamara (CDC), as it is reported? Fonati Koffa is also sick. Of course, I’m aware that the LP’s press statement on her arrest and detention is a sham. Including her with the others is a game plan or strategy to give it a semblance of unbiasedness against the CDC Representatives — that a UP Alliance person is among the accused — and that will be made clear soon. It’s most likely that they will enter a plea bargaining deal with her, or nolle prosequi her case and make her a state witness.”
Citing the Supreme Court’s 2023 Demann v. Republic ruling reaffirming equal protection under Article 21, Chea warned that Justice Minister Oswald Tweh and Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman are reviving “the repressive judicial tactics of the 1980s.” He drew parallels to notorious past officials Jenkins Scott and Wilfred Clarke, known for weaponizing the legal system. “The justice system presided over by Justice Minister Oswald Tweh and IGP. Gregory O W Coleman is reminiscent of the 80’s, with Tweh and Coleman becoming the Jenkins Scott and Wilfred Clark of the 21st century,” the Senator said.
He demands immediate procedural reforms to restore public confidence, insisting that presumption of innocence must be upheld. “I call for an immediate review of the procedures to ensure they align with established standards of fairness and justice. Only through a credible process can public trust be maintained and the truth be ascertained. In the absence of such assurances, the public is left to question whether the true aim of these actions is the pursuit of justice or the settling of political scores.”
On Friday, June 6, 2025, Former Speaker Koffa was charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and arson under Chapter 10, Section 10.4 of Liberia’s Revised Penal Code. His co-defendants – Representatives Dixon Seboe, Jacob Debee of Grand Gedeh County, and Abu Kamara – face charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal facilitation to commit arson. The four current lawmakers spent the night at the Liberia National Police (LNP) Headquarters up Capitol Hill. They were taken to the Monrovia Central Prison on Saturday.
The situation began in the early morning hours of December 18, 2024, when a massive fire broke out in Liberia’s Capitol Building, causing severe damage to the legislative chambers. Firefighters from the Liberia National Fire Service, with support from other emergency agencies, worked for several hours to contain the destructive blaze. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai visited the scene later that same day and made a public statement expressing his dismay, saying “We are a poor country and people are trying to help us, while others seem bent on destroying it,” while ordering a full investigation through the Ministry of Justice and security apparatus.
By January 2025, security officials had determined the fire was deliberately set, with Police Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman announcing forensic evidence clearly showed arson through unusual burn patterns and discovered containers of explosive materials at the scene. Coleman revealed investigators had identified persons of interest and would be pursuing charges soon. The prosecution’s approach has faced significant criticism, particularly regarding the timing of arrests – lawmakers were summoned to police headquarters at 9:00 AM on a Friday but weren’t formally charged until 5:00 PM, after courts had closed for the weekend, guaranteeing their detention until at least Monday.
Opposition leaders have strongly condemned these tactics, with Sinoe Telia Urey, Vice Chair of the All Liberian Party, echoed these concerns, denouncing what she called “the arbitrary arrest and politically motivated targeting of opposition leaders.” The Liberia National Police investigation identified several key suspects including Thomas Isaac Etheridge (alias Tom), Chief of Maintenance for Representative Jonathan Fonati Koffa, who faces multiple serious charges ranging from arson and criminal mischief to attempted murder and conspiracy.
Authorities allege Etheridge first damaged the legislative chambers on November 10, 2024, before setting the December 18 fire. Another suspect, Eric Susay, is accused of participating in both a December 17 riot and the subsequent arson attack, with additional charges of police firearm theft and aggravated assault for allegedly attacking an officer. Steven Broh, a Capitol Building maintenance worker, stands accused of direct involvement in the December 18 arson with similar charges, while Jerry Pokah (alias Tyrese), a New Kru Town resident, is alleged to have helped plan and execute the attack with matching charges to his co-conspirators.
