The Justice In-Chambers at the Supreme Court of Liberia, Jamesetta Howard-Wolokollie, has rejected the property valuation bond proffered by former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s office staff, Thomas Etheridge, and several others indicted in the December 18, 2024 fire incident at the Capitol Building.
The Supreme Court’s action comes after Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie denied the ‘fake’ documents from sureties in the arson case which involves Thomas Etheridge, Eric Susay, John Nyanti, and others, based on a long haul and pull over a legitimate speakership battle between former Speaker Koffa of the and Richard Nagbe Koon for almost a year, a power and legal battle left the country and its people stranded.
The Supreme Court Chambers Justice on yesterday, September 1, 2025, declined to issue the Writ of Certiorari prayed for by Thomas Etheridge and several defendants who are still behind bars after seven to eight months. Recently, in a significant ruling, Judge Willie denied bail to several defendants involved in the controversial Property Valuation Bond case.
Defendants Christian Koffa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac Etheridge, Gabriel Fansieh, and Stephen Broh were ordered to remain in custody after the court found key documents presented in their defense to be “faked, fraudulent, and invalid.” The documents were reportedly deemed invalid by Mr. James Afif Jabar, Assistant Commissioner of the Liberia Revenue Authority’s Real Estate Tax Division.
However, the court noted that three defendants, Christian Koffa, Gabriel Fansieh, and Stephen Broh were not considered flight risks, leaving room for their release if their defense can legally validate the Property Valuation Bond by correcting the fraudulent transactions. Judge Willie’s ruling suspended further proceedings while emphasizing that the defendants can only be released if the necessary corrections are made to the bond documents.
This Supreme Court’s ruling marks a critical moment in the ongoing case, highlighting the court’s firm stance against fraudulent documentation and the seriousness with which it treats property-related offenses in Liberia. The case continues to draw public attention as legal experts await the next developments.
