Published: December 15, 2025
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia– The prosecution’s case in the Capitol Building arson trial suffered a blow Friday when a police investigator conceded under cross-examination that much of the state’s audio evidence is irrelevant to the alleged crime.
Rafael Wilson, an investigator with the Liberia National Police, testified that several recordings extracted from the phone of defendant Thomas focus on political discussions and do not mention the Capitol Building or any plan to burn it. His admission came as defense lawyers intensified their challenge to the state’s core evidence.
Defense Questions Foundation of Audio Recordings
Lead defense counsel Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson pressed Wilson on a recording prosecutors claim captures the accused discussing the arson plot. Johnson argued that the clip contains no such discussion—only a speaker asking, “Did you see the fire already?” with no reference to the Capitol or any specific location.
Wilson acknowledged that investigators nonetheless submitted all available audio files from Thomas’ phone, even those unrelated to the alleged offense. He further confirmed that the investigation relied heavily on witness statements and that he could not verify whether some statements were written by the defendants themselves.
Johnson also questioned recordings bearing the date December 17, saying the timeline conflicts with reports that President Joseph Boakai was at the Capitol that day under full security by the LNP and Executive Protection Service. The defense argues such conditions make the alleged plot implausible.
Torture Allegations Surface
The hearing shifted sharply when the defense accused the LNP and the National Security Agency of torturing defendant Eric Susay to force a confession implicating former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
Johnson alleged that Susay was beaten for nearly a week, tied to a mattress, and assaulted by individuals he claims are linked to former warlord “General Butt Naked.” According to the defense, Susay was pressured to state that he received money from Koffa to burn the Capitol.
Johnson told the court that Susay was later handed to the NSA for several weeks, during which agents allegedly stepped on his back, causing injuries he still experiences. When Johnson attempted to ask Wilson whether the investigation documented these allegations, prosecutors objected, calling the question unconstitutional and potentially incriminating. Judge Roosevelt Willie sustained the objection.
Johnson countered that the right against self-incrimination belongs to the witness, not the court.
Dispute Over Jury’s Access to Audio Evidence
The defense also objected to allowing audio playback devices or a technician into the jury’s deliberation room. Johnson argued that only jurors may be present during deliberations and that electronic devices containing multiple recordings could improperly influence their decision.
He insisted that only transcripts formally admitted into evidence should be available to jurors.
“The court does not have the authority to enter the jury’s deliberation room,” Johnson argued.
Prosecutors maintained that all admitted evidence, including audio recordings, must be accessible to the jury. The defense warned that allowing any playback equipment would “contaminate” deliberations.
Trial Continues
Cross-examination of Wilson is expected to continue as the defense seeks to dismantle the state’s evidence, arguing that the recordings raise more doubt than proof.
The Capitol Building arson trial continues at Criminal Court ‘A’ in Monrovia on Monday.
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