Published: June 18, 2025
MONROVIA — One of the prime suspects in the December 2024 Capitol Building arson case, John Nyanti, has been arrested and jailed following an international manhunt, amid explosive claims that the Boakai-led government offered him $200,000 to falsely implicate former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
Nyanti was apprehended under an Interpol arrest warrant and brought before Criminal Court ‘A’ on June 13, where Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie ordered his detention at the Monrovia Central Prison, pending trial. He faces multiple charges under Liberia’s Revised Penal Code, including arson, criminal mischief, conspiracy, facilitation, solicitation, attempted murder, and recklessly endangering another person.
The police charge sheet alleges that Nyanti, along with co-defendant Amos Kofa, played a central role in setting fire to the Capitol Building’s Joint Chambers on December 18, 2024, a crime law enforcement officials have described as a direct attack on Liberia’s democracy.
According to the police, Nyanti attended a meeting at a used car lot near the Conet Gas Station in Jallah Town, where he received $100 from Representative Dixon Seboe (District #16). That money was allegedly exchanged into Liberian dollars and distributed among others accused of participating in the arson.
However, in handcuffs and en route to his court appearance, Nyanti made a dramatic public allegation: that the current administration offered him $200,000 to lie under oath and implicate ex-Speaker Koffa in the crime.
“You said you get evidence, but you want give me $200K to lie against Fonati Koffa,” Nyanti was overheard saying while being escorted by police.
He claimed he had been under pressure from state agents since returning to Liberia on June 6, alleging that the government has been coercing him to serve as a state witness. His family later supported this claim with damning details during a press conference at the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters.
Family Alleges Coercion and Bribery Scheme
On Tuesday, Precelia Pyne, speaking on behalf of the Nyanti family, accused the government of offering John $50,000 and promising to relocate him and his family to Europe in exchange for testimony implicating Koffa and three other lawmakers—Reps. Dixon Seboe, Abu Bana Kamara, and Jacob Debee.
Pyne further accused Ambassador Edward Koffa Nyanti, Liberia’s Special Envoy for Trade and Investment and an uncle to the suspect, of colluding with security forces to forcibly return Nyanti from Ghana.
“They gave $50,000 to Ambassador Nyanti. He took $2,000 and gave it to John’s brother to convince him to cooperate,” she said. “But John turned the money over to us as evidence.”
According to the family, Nyanti was held incommunicado for over 11 days at Lifestyle Hotel in Paynesville—far exceeding Liberia’s 48-hour legal limit for detaining suspects without charge.
“Since June 6, they have hidden him from us and the public,” Pyne stated. “No legal process was followed.”
John’s sister, Linda Nyanti, revealed that Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman is relying heavily on her brother’s testimony to build the entire case against the accused lawmakers.
“All they have is John. Without his testimony, they have no real evidence,” she said, accusing CID officer Irene Johnson of issuing threats to relatives in Kru Town.
The family, describing John as a “hero” for resisting the alleged bribery, has called on international human rights organizations, embassies, and civil society to intervene. During the CDC press conference, Linda Nyanti played an audio recording purportedly capturing John crying and pleading for help.
CDC Youth League Threatens Response
Emmanuel Mulbah Johnson, Chairman of the CDC Youth League, issued a stern warning to the Unity Party-led government, calling for Nyanti’s immediate release and accusing the administration of fabricating charges and intimidating witnesses.
“We know where John is, and if he’s not freed, we will move — even if it costs our lives,” Johnson declared, warning of mass protests if what he termed political harassment does not cease.
Allegations Against Rep. Seboe
According to the police charge sheet, Rep. Dixon Seboe is not only accused of facilitating payments tied to the arson but also of financing Nyanti’s escape from Liberia. Authorities say both Nyanti and Amos Kofa had fled the country after the Capitol was torched, allegedly with Seboe’s help. Both were charged in absentia and flagged with Interpol red notices.
The destruction of the Capitol’s Joint Chambers, which occurred amid heightened political tensions late last year, has triggered wide condemnation and concerns over internal security.
Police spokesperson Cecelia G. Clarke, when contacted, declined to comment, saying she had not yet received official updates.
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