Liberia: Kofa, Others Suffer Legal 'Head Butt'

What the report says

Former Liberia House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and several co-defendants remain in a legal fight over the Capitol Building arson case after the Supreme Court of Liberia rejected another defense petition, according to a report distributed by AllAfrica from The New Republic Liberia. The decision means the case will continue in Criminal Court "A" in Monrovia, where the accused are facing charges tied to the December 2024 fire that damaged parts of the national legislature.

The report says the defendants, which include three sitting lawmakers, are charged with offenses such as arson, criminal mischief, attempted murder, conspiracy and economic sabotage. Their lawyers are arguing that the prosecution lacks direct forensic evidence connecting them to the blaze. The article notes that a police investigator testified that fingerprint testing was not carried out on items allegedly linked to the fire, including a bottle and a matchbox.

The defense has also challenged the handling of the jury, saying the trial judge acted improperly when a seated juror was removed and the panel was later disbanded. The Supreme Court, however, declined to issue a writ stopping the trial judge from proceeding. The case has become politically sensitive because the fire erupted after a bitter struggle over Koffa’s position as Speaker. Legal observers cited in the report say the next phase will depend on whether prosecutors can address the evidentiary gaps and whether the court upholds the defense’s constitutional objections.