MONROVIA – Embattled House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa is set to appear today at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP) as investigators probe the December 18 fire that ravaged the joint chambers of the Capitol Building. The police have named Koffa and several lawmakers from the minority bloc as persons of interest.
The police identified Dixon Seboe, Marvin Cole, Frank Foko, Priscilla Cooper, Abu Kamara, and Jacob C. Debee, alongside Koffa, as key figures in the investigation. However, no members of the government-backed majority bloc, a rival faction to Koffa’s speakership, have been summoned.
On February 19, the police prevented journalists from having access to its headquarters as Representatives Kamra and Seboe were invited for questioning.
The December 18 fire occurred just a day after a group of citizens staged a protest at the Capitol, demanding that lawmakers uphold the rule of law and abandon attempts to forcibly remove Koffa as Speaker. The protesters argued that lawmakers should focus on more pressing national issues. The protest, however, ended in violence when police clashed with demonstrators, using teargas to disperse the crowd.
In a letter addressed to Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon in January, the LNP confirmed its intent to question members of the House. The police assured that the investigation would be conducted professionally and transparently while upholding the rights of all individuals involved.
Koffa, in a social media post on January 23, affirmed his willingness to cooperate, stating, “Since the unfortunate occurrence of this event, I have consistently cooperated and ensured the cooperation of all persons under my employ. I must reiterate that I am and remain absolutely innocent of any involvement in this event.” He also called for international assistance to ensure an impartial investigation.
Upon his return from the United States in early February, he again pledged full cooperation, telling reporters, “I have nothing to hide. I am here to cooperate with the investigation so that the truth can be established.”
The fire, which broke out on December 18, 2024, devastated the chambers of the Capitol Building and prompted an immediate response from President Joseph Boakai, who visited the scene the same day. Before any investigation could commence, President Boakai labeled the incident an act of arson and instructed the Ministry of Justice to pursue those responsible.
On January 8, during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Col. Coleman concluded that the fire was deliberately set and that overwhelming evidence pointed to arson. The LNP arrested and charged several individuals, including a man identified as Thomas Ethridge, in connection with the crime. “We have sufficient evidence pointing to arson,” Coleman stated. “We have identified individuals of interest and have contacted them. Should they fail to present themselves, arrests will follow.”
The police have forwarded several persons, including Thomas Ethridge and Eric Susay, for trial.
Over the weekend, fire experts from the United States, along with the Liberia National Police, visited the burnt joint chambers to conduct an investigation. This move, however, has been heavily criticized by the public, questioning why the experts were invited after the police had already reached a conclusion, placed individuals on trial, and named some lawmakers as persons of interest.
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Col. Coleman clarified that the role of the U.S. fire experts is not to lead an independent probe. “The team will conduct a thorough assessment of the Capitol Building and provide expert analysis to determine the cause and extent of the fire,” he said. Coleman assured that once their assessment is complete, the experts will present their findings to the public.
The three fire experts from Minnesota are former chiefs Kenneth Prillaman, Mark Lynde, and Jerry Streich, who each have over 30 years of experience in fire safety, investigation, and emergency management. They represent the Fire Rescue Alliance.
he Liberian Investigator has learned that the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia was not involved in arranging the visit of fire experts to Liberia.
Sources familiar with the matter told the Liberian Investigator that the Embassy informed the government it could not provide experts to investigate the fire, as the issue had become politically sensitive.
Furthermore, the team currently in Liberia are not forensic investigators and lack the capacity to conduct a criminal investigation or assess potential arson.
According to sources, the visiting team members are friends of former Brooklyn Park City Councilman Wynfred Russell, a Liberian.
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