MONROVIA – The Supreme Court of Liberia has rejected a bail petition filed by lawyers representing former House Speaker Fonati Koffa and his co-defendants, dealing a major setback in their ongoing corruption trial.
On Monday, September 1, 2025, Justice in Chambers Jamesetta Wolokollie denied the defense’s request for an alternative writ of mandamus, which sought to compel a lower court to accept their bail bond. Koffa’s legal team argued that the trial judge committed a reversible error by rejecting the bond after objections were raised by state prosecutors.
According to court documents obtained by Smart News Liberia, the Ministry of Justice, represented by the Montserrado County Attorney and the City Solicitor of Monrovia, maintains that the defendants’ bail bond fails to meet the legal standards required for pretrial release. Prosecutors say the bond amount and structure are insufficient and therefore inadmissible.
Koffa’s lawyers strongly disagree, insisting that the bond is legally valid and accusing the prosecution of weaponizing objections to prolong their clients’ detention. They argue that barring their bond submission undermines constitutional guarantees of due process and fair trial rights.
With Justice Wolokollie’s decision, the trial of Koffa and other defendants is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, before Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie at Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice.
Meanwhile, proceedings in a related case stalled at Criminal Court “B” on Monday. A plea bargaining hearing involving defendant Bill Jallah was unexpectedly delayed after the prosecution appeared unprepared to present the necessary paperwork. Despite reports of a plea deal between Jallah’s lawyers and the Ministry of Justice, prosecutors failed to produce supporting documents to validate their first witness.
The presiding judge expressed frustration, warning that the prosecution’s lack of readiness undermines the judicial process. “This is a serious matter. If the prosecution is not prepared to proceed, it undermines the integrity of this process,” the judge stated before rescheduling the hearing and threatening sanctions against state lawyers.
Court sources suggest the delay stemmed from internal miscommunication within the Ministry of Justice, which may have slowed the submission of official plea documents. The hearing was postponed, with prosecutors ordered to return prepared or face penalties.
The unfolding case continues to capture national attention as questions grow over judicial independence, prosecutorial conduct, and the political dimensions surrounding the charges against the former House Speaker and his co-defendants.
