-In Capitol Arson Case
On Thursday, December 11, 2025, the prosecution’s key witness directly connected defendants John Nyanti and his associates to the deliberate burning of Liberia’s Capitol Building. Police Investigator Rafael Wilson’s testimony before Criminal Court “A” unveiled a complex narrative of reluctant witnesses, international repatriation, and digital evidence.
Wilson testified that John Nyanti, originally a cooperating witness, is now formally implicated in the case. According to Wilson, Nyanti was specifically repatriated from Ghana—with assistance from local authorities—based on his purported knowledge of the December 18, 2024 arson that devastated the Legislature’s Joint Chambers.
“Nyanti was overheard expressing reluctance to testify against former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and other alleged conspirators,” Wilson stated, asserting that this hesitation actually strengthens the state’s case by demonstrating his insider awareness.
The prosecution introduced what it described as critical digital evidence: an audio recording allegedly extracted from defendant Thomas Ethridge’s mobile phone. Wilson sought to authenticate the recording, which he said captures defendants discussing their roles in orchestrating the Capitol’s destruction.
Adding a tangible dimension to the case, prosecutors presented physical evidence—an empty Clorox bottle and a box of matches—arguing these items directly link the accused to the fire’s ignition and underscore the attack’s premeditated nature.
Further revelations indicated the government holds additional digital evidence, including call logs and audio recordings obtained from a telecommunications provider. This evidence, the prosecution claims, meticulously traces the defendants’ movements and communications around the time of the arson.
Despite being secured by the state upon his return—accommodated at a hotel along the Roberts International Airport highway for his safety—Wilson testified that Nyanti remained a hesitant participant, citing fears of retaliation for testifying against influential political figures.
The trial involves multiple defendants, including former House Speaker Koffa, all indicted by the Montserrado County Grand Jury for their alleged roles in the Capitol attack. As proceedings continue, the state maintains it has assembled sufficient evidence to prove a calculated conspiracy, setting the stage for a landmark legal confrontation over one of Liberia’s most significant acts of political vandalism.
