Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has deferred the legal battle between the Government of Liberia and five lawmakers including former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa after the state failed to present evidence to the defendants’ lawyers. Judge Willie adjudged that given the fact that Koffa, Abu B. Kamara, Jacob Debee and Dixon W. Seboe received the evidence Wednesday August 27, 2025, the court deferred the proceeding to Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
In his ruling, Judge Willie said the purpose of discovery in trial is to provide sufficient time for the adverse party to respond to the documents that have been filed. Judge Willie mentioned that the defense stated several reasons why the discovery should have been given to them in order to analyze and review their case to enable them to see whether a pre-trial motion could be filed based on the information from the documents presented.
The judge added that state lawyers should have given those documents five days before the case; as he believes that late Wednesday night wasn’t sufficient for the defense team to read, digest, and analyze those pieces of evidence produced. On Thursday, August 27, 2025, at Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, government lawyers in the ongoing high-profile arson case involving several defendants came under fire after it was revealed in court that they delivered their discovery documents beyond the legal deadline, raising concerns over due process.
State prosecutors submitted critical discovery materials including witness lists, evidentiary records, and expert analysis days before the main schedule given for the trial despite legal provisions requiring timely disclosure.
Cllr. Richard Scott, Montserado County Attorney, argued that receiving the discovery on (Wednesday August 27, 2025) should not be a ground to pray for continuance since in fact there are several processes before the defendants to introduce evidence, “therefore they have nothing to do and cannot claim that they will be injurious to the case.”
Cllr. Scott said reviewing the discovery submitted to Koffa and his colleagues will inform them as to what pre-trial motion including a change of venue, among motions listed by the defense will not depend on the service of discovery. However, defense lawyers objected calling the move “procedurally abusive” and a violation of their clients’ constitutional rights to prepare an adequate defense.
The case stems from the fire incident in central Monrovia that led to extensive property damage and alleged threats to public safety. The defendants are facing multiple charges to include Arson, Criminal Conspiracy, Attempt to Commit Murder, and Reckless Endangerment, Rioting, Failure to Disperse among other charges.
