MONROVIA – Four sitting Liberian lawmakers, including former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), have been incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison following their formal indictment in connection with the December 2024 arson attack on the Capitol Building.
The lawmakers, also including Representatives Jacob Debee of the opposition Liberian National Union (LINU), Dixon Seboe, and Abu Kamara of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), were charged with serious criminal offenses such as arson and attempted murder. The charges stem from a months-long investigation into a fire that severely damaged the Joint Chambers of the Legislature during a politically volatile period late last year.
The decision to detain the lawmakers follows heightened public attention and legal scrutiny over the Capitol attack, which investigators have described as a coordinated assault on the heart of Liberia’s democratic institutions. The lawmakers were transported to the Monrovia Central Prison on the afternoon of Saturday, June 7, 2025, following their detention at the Liberia National Police headquarters the previous day.”
A fifth lawmaker, Montserrado County District #6 Representative Priscilla Cooper of the ruling Unity Party (UP), who was also linked to the incident, was released into the custody of her legal team, reportedly under bail arrangements. However, the defense counsel representing the lawmakers has clarified that no formal bail process has been completed for any of the accused and that all four detained officials may remain behind bars until at least Monday, when further legal proceedings are expected.
The high-profile arrests have triggered sharp reactions from political allies and civil society groups, with concerns over due process, political motivations, and the broader implications for legislative independence. Despite these concerns, the government has reiterated its commitment to the rule of law, insisting that no one is above accountability.
As the case moves forward, all eyes are now on the judicial system to determine whether justice will be served without compromising constitutional protections or inflaming partisan tensions.
