The fire that consumed Liberia’s Capitol Building, a symbol of our nation’s democracy, has ignited a storm of controversy, rife with inconsistencies, troubling allegations, and a profound lack of accountability. This moment demands a strong and unflinching response to the glaring issues it has exposed, for it is not just the physical structure that has been damaged, but the very foundation of public trust in our institutions.
Two days after the December 18 blaze, Senator Prince Moye of Bong County proposed an allocation of $1.8 million for renovation, a figure eerily identical to the damage estimate cited in the State’s Writ of Arrest against Thomas Etheridge. However, the police charge sheet for another suspect, Eric Susay, pegs the damage at an eye-popping $8.6 million. This staggering discrepancy between two state entities is an affront to basic accountability. How is it possible for institutions tasked with upholding order and transparency to arrive at such vastly divergent conclusions? Are these numbers rooted in credible assessments, or are they plucked from thin air to serve political expediencies? These contradictions demand immediate clarification, not the smokescreens we have been handed so far.
Equally alarming are the reports of barbaric human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by state security agents. Victims, including Thomas Etheridge and Andrew Lawson—a constituency officer for Speaker J. Fonati Koffa—have recounted horrific experiences of waterboarding, brutal beatings, and psychological torture. These acts, if true, are not only inhumane but also a grievous betrayal of commitment to the rule of law and human dignity. Justice Minister Oswald Tweh’s categorical denial of these allegations and his pledge to involve independent investigators are steps in the right direction, but they are far from sufficient. Words alone cannot erase the stain of torture. Only a full, transparent, and independent inquiry can begin to restore public confidence and demonstrate that no one is above the law—including those who wield its power.
The investigation itself is mired in contradictions that further erode its credibility. The police cite surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and electronic records as implicating Etheridge and Susay. Yet the baffling decision to release Etheridge’s vehicle—only to later cite it as critical evidence—raises serious questions about the integrity of the process. Meanwhile, the presence of Susay’s vehicle at the Capitol Building—where he works—is being framed as key evidence, despite its tenuous connection to the alleged crime. Such shoddy investigatory practices cannot withstand scrutiny in any credible court of law and risk undermining the entire pursuit of justice.
Worse still is the creeping specter of political manipulation within state institutions. The rapid arrests of Etheridge and Susay, coupled with claims of coerced confessions implicating high-ranking officials like Speaker Koffa, reek of a narrative pre-written to fit a political agenda. If Minister Tweh’s assurances of a fair and transparent process are to hold any weight, then the government must release all investigative findings—including the surveillance footage and forensic reports—for public scrutiny. Justice that hides in shadows is no justice at all.
Adding to this debacle is the legislature’s unseemly rush to allocate $1.8 million for renovations, spearheaded by Senator Moye, even as investigations remain incomplete and damage assessments unresolved. Such haste lends credence to suspicions that public officials are exploiting this tragedy as a financial windfall. This brazen display of opportunism insults the intelligence of the Liberian people and underscores the urgent need for rigorous oversight and prudence in public spending.
The Capitol fire is more than a devastating event; it is a litmus test for Liberia’s commitment to justice, transparency, and the rule of law. The inconsistencies, allegations of torture, and political posturing surrounding this tragedy demand answers—not tomorrow, but today. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty and an insult to the principles upon which our democracy stands.
Liberians must not accept half-truths and hollow assurances. We demand clarity, accountability, and justice. Our democracy and the faith of the people in their government depend on it. This is The Liberian Investigagtor in pursuit of truth and integrity.
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