MONROVIA – A dramatic scene unfolded at the Monrovia City Court on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as Stephen M. Broh, a security guard at the Capitol Building, broke down in tears while facing charges related to the December 18, 2024, arson attack on the national legislature. Broh, along with other suspects, is accused of orchestrating the fire that threatened the integrity of one of Liberia’s key government institutions.
The Liberia National Police allege that Broh, in collaboration with Thomas Etheridge, Amos Koffa, and John Nyanti, conspired to set the Capitol ablaze. Investigators say the suspects arrived at the scene in a white JAC vehicle, carrying containers of gasoline, which they used to ignite the fire. The extent of the damage caused by the blaze has not yet been fully disclosed, but authorities consider the attack a grave offense against the state.
During his testimony, Broh, who was represented by attorney Martin J. Corlon, recounted how he transitioned from selling used clothing to working as a security officer for the Legislative Security Service (LSS) in late 2023. He described the moments leading up to the attack, stating that Etheridge had parked near Access Bank, where Nyanti joined them carrying a gasoline-filled bag. Broh claimed he voiced his concerns, particularly noting that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, a well-known legal expert, would not support such an act. However, he insisted that he had no choice but to proceed with the group.
While Broh was presented in court, his alleged accomplices, including Etheridge and Eric Sasay, remain detained at the Monrovia Central Prison as the investigation continues. The case is now before the First Judicial Circuit Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice, where further hearings are expected.
