The Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice, over the weekend, sent to jail former Speaker of the House of Representatives J. Fonati Koffa and three other opposition lawmakers in connection with the Capitol Building Arson attack.
Magistrate L. Ben Barco’s decision was as a result of a Writ of Arrest prayed for by the Ministry of Justice through the court which was issued and served on each of the defendants before being escorted to the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach) where they have spent two nights.
After receiving their Writ of Arrest, they were remanded of their Miranda rights- right to lawyer, right to remain silent, and right to a bail bond, but the defendants could not secured a valid criminal appearance bond leading the judge to send them to jail.
The defendants, Representatives Koffa, Abu B. Kamara, Jacob Debee, and Dixon Seboe’s detention at the prison facility came after a joint security investigative findings of the arson attack of December 18, 2024, linking them to the alleged crimes allegedly committed during a huge political battle between the majority lawmakers headed by Representatives Richard N. Koon and J. Fonati Koffa, then Speaker and head of the minority bloc, that lasted for several months.
On Friday, June 6, 2025, the Liberia National Police (LNP), in collaboration with the Joint Security, completed its investigation into the arson attack on the Capitol Building in Monrovia. The findings, presented by Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman during a press conference, identified key suspects and their respective charges based on the Revised Penal Code of Liberia.
Col. Coleman named high-profile involvement as Jonathan Fonati Koffa (Former Speaker of the House of Representatives), who the police said coordinated sabotage efforts from November 2024, linked to obstruction of legislative processes and damage to national infrastructure as he was charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia.
Koffa, Abu B. Kamara, Jacob C. Debee, and Dixon Seboe were arrested and charged with Arson (Chapter 15, Section 15.1), Criminal Mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5), Recklessly Endangering Another Person, (Chapter 14, Section 14.23) Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, (Chapter 10, Section 10.1),
Criminal Facilitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.2), Criminal Solicitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.3), Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4) and among other crimes.
According IG Coleman, Abu B. Kamara (District # 15, Montserrado County) and Jacob C. Debee (District #3, Grand Gedeh County) involvement were, present at multiple planning meetings and facilitated logistical support.
Explaining Dixon W. Seboe’s (District # 16, Montserrado County) involvement, IG Coleman said, it was identified through financial transactions with funds originating from his office and allegedly disbursed to conspirators during a clandestine meeting in Jallah Town on December 17, 2024, one day before the main attack.
Also, Col. Coleman said, Dixon facilitated the escape and protection of key suspects who are linked to the arson investigation, Montserrado County District #5 Representative Montserrado County Priscillia A. Cooper was charged in absentia with Criminal Facilitation of Chapter 10, Section 10.2, and False Report to Law Enforcement Officials which is in violation of Chapter 12, Section 12.33 of the revised penal code.
The LNP’s position stresses on the destruction of the Capitol Building’s Joint Chambers which represents a direct assault on democracy and governance.
Koffa, Kamara, Debee, and Seboe are currently held in detention at the Monrovia Central Prison, awaiting trial by a court of competent jurisdiction.
IG Coleman urges all citizens to remain calm, peaceful, and vigilant as they support national security efforts, stating that no act that threatens public safety or the integrity of the security institutions will be tolerated.
Thomas Isaac Etheridge (alias Tom) Employee of the Capitol Building, Chief of Maintenance, Office of Representative Jonathan Fonati Koffa was alleged of damaging the chambers on November 10, 2024, and burned it on December 18, 2024.
Defendants Ethridge, Eric Susay, Kivi Bah, Steven Broh, Jerry Pokah, John Nyanti were charged for multiple crimes ranging from Arson, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Release of Destructive Forces, Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Facilitation, Conspiracy, Solicitation, Rioting, Failure to Disperse, Theft of Property, Aggravated Assault among others.
Shortly after the Justice In Chambers of the Supreme Court Yamie Qui-qui Gbeisay ordered Defendant Thomas Etheridge to be turned over to the court, the Monrovia City Court Magistrate Ben L. Barco imprisoned two of the alleged instigators of the fire incident at the Capitol Building.
Defendant Etheridge was turned over to the court with a writ of arrest, while Eric Susay was issued a police charge sheet due to opening up to the investigators on January 20, 2025, after the Supreme Court Justice ordered that Etheridge be turned over to the court in an hour time.
Magistrate Barco’s action followed as a result of the Liberia National Police (LNP) forwarded Defendants Thomas Isaac Etheridge, Eric Susay and others to the Monrovia City Court for prosecution but was later remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach).
