After spending over five months at the Monrovia Central Prison for allegedly burning the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024, the Judge of Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia has approved a joint property valuation bond of Five Hundred Thousand United States dollar (US$500,000.00), and a property deed value at six million United States Dollars (US$6,000,000).
Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie approved the bond on Monday, August 4, 2025 to secure the temporary release of the defendants, who stand accused of multiple crimes including Arson. The parties have been cited to a hearing slated for Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The property sureties bond was filed on behalf of defendants Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac Etheridge, Stephen Broh and Gabriel Fansich. The defendants were charged with Arson, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Solicitation, Criminal Intent to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Release of Distribution Forcer, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Theft of Property.
According to the defense lawyers’ July 24, 2025 bond, the defendants’ sureties are represented and guarantee by Randolph S. Cole and Rufina J. Cole by and thru the Property Deed duly registered, probated and all taxes paid up to date January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, and applied revenue text receipt renewal. The defense attached copies of Liberia Revenue Authority Flag Receipts (LRA), justifying that the properties have valuation bond to serve as surety for the defendants.
“NOW THEREFORE, WE the sureties, Randolph J. Cole and Rufina J. Cole owner of said Deed and a Two Stairs Way Building thereon, duly registered and probated and authorized by law to be surety bond, do hereby offered our property and Deed representative, assigns and successors in interest jointly and severally unto the defendants in the Amount of US$500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). For and on behalf of the defendants) to appear, on 06 day of August A.D. 2025 at the hour of 1:00 A.M./P.M. for the hearing of said case to include all others succeeding hearings until said matter is fully adjudicated and that the within defendant is hereby equated or guilty,” the bond indicated.
Recently, Judge Willie came under intense scrutiny following the imposition of stringent bail conditions on the human sureties of several defendants connected to the Capitol Building Arson case. The defendants’ contention to Judge Willie is that the bond restrictions were severe, excessive and undermine the principles of judicial fairness.
Those to be released on bail bond before the court based upon defense lawyers significant plead to secure their clients’ temporary freedom include Thomas Etheridge, Christian Nyanti, and Christian Koffa, However, the restrictive conditions imposed by Judge Willie have been met with dismay from legal representatives, who contend that the new requirements infringe upon the defendants’ rights and due process. Judge Willie has mandated an unprecedented four sureties for each defendant along with proof of property ownership. This unexpected escalation from the previously established two sureties has left legal professionals to question the rationale behind such measures.
