Monrovia – Four major opposition political parties in Liberia have jointly called for the immediate appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate alleged witness tampering and human rights violations by security forces in the ongoing Capitol arson investigation.
The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Alternative National Congress (ANC), Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), and Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) issued a statement Monday, June 23, 2025, expressing grave concerns about the conduct of the Liberian National Police and National Security Agency in handling the high-profile case.
The parties emphasized their full support for prosecuting anyone genuinely involved in the December 2025 Capitol fire, which was initially declared an act of arson. However, they warned that the investigation has been marred by serious irregularities that risk convicting innocent individuals.
Several disturbing cases of alleged misconduct were highlighted. Thomas Etheridge reported being taken from police custody to NSA headquarters where he endured several days of torture and coercion to falsely implicate former Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa. Andrew Lawson and Albert Weah described being held for eight days at NSA facilities, where they were physically beaten, forced to drink urine, and pressured to sign false statements implicating former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
In a particularly egregious case, John Nyanti claimed he was lured to Monrovia under false pretenses and offered bribes ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 at a luxury hotel to provide false testimony against opposition figures. He was illegally detained for 11 days before being charged when he refused to comply.
The opposition coalition also raised serious concerns about unequal treatment of suspects, noting that four opposition lawmakers were subjected to harsh detention conditions while a ruling party-affiliated legislator facing identical charges was immediately released on personal recognizance. They argued this clear political bias violates constitutional protections guaranteeing equal treatment under the law.
Numerous unanswered questions about the Capitol fire investigation were highlighted, including how suspects allegedly bypassed police security to set the blaze, who removed furniture and cut electrical wiring before the fire, and why certain individuals seen at the Capitol shortly before the incident haven’t been properly questioned.
Citing specific provisions of Liberia’s Penal Code that criminalize witness tampering and obstruction of justice, the parties stressed that only an independent special prosecutor can properly investigate these allegations without conflict of interest. They warned that failure to address these serious concerns risks undermining public trust in Liberia’s justice system and democratic institutions.
The statement concluded with an urgent appeal to President Joseph Boakai to appoint a special prosecutor immediately, emphasizing that the constitutional rights of all Liberian citizens and the integrity of the nation’s legal system are at stake.
The opposition leaders who signed the statement include Atty. Janga A. Kowo of CDC, Cllr. Lafayette O. Gould of ANC, Mr. James Yougie of CMC, and Mr. Prince G. Mehn of MOVEE. The Liberian government has yet to formally respond to these allegations as of press time.
