MONROVIA – The Capitol Building arson trial took a dramatic turn as prosecution witness Rafael Wilson told Criminal Court “A” that defendant John Nyanti had been extradited from Ghana to testify for the government an arrangement that later collapsed.
Wilson said Nyanti was arrested in Ghana with assistance from Ghanaian authorities and returned to Liberia specifically to aid the prosecution’s case. Upon arrival, Nyanti was housed at a hotel along the Roberts International Airport (RIA) road to limit contact with the public while negotiations were ongoing.
Under cross-examination by defense lawyer Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson, Wilson admitted he could not confirm whether Nyanti personally wrote or signed his police statement, explaining that another officer conducted the interrogation and signed the document. He also could not confirm whether he was present when the statement was taken.
Cllr. Johnson pressed Wilson on whether Nyanti’s constitutional rights—including access to a lawyer, phone calls, family contact, and the right to remain silent—were fully observed. Wilson claimed the rights were respected but could not clarify whether Nyanti was first detained at the National Security Agency (NSA) before being handed over to the Liberia National Police.
Nyanti Alleges US$200,000 Bribe to Implicate Ex-Speaker
The proceedings turned explosive when Nyanti accused the government of trying to bribe him. Escorted in handcuffs to court on June 13, 2025, Nyanti shouted that officials offered him US$200,000 to falsely implicate former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
“You say you have evidence, but you want to give me 200k to lie against Fonati Koffa,” Nyanti declared as he was led into the courtroom.
He claimed he had been in Liberia since June 6 and pressured by state actors to provide false testimony.
Still on the Cross examination when quzzed by the defense Lawyer wether or not the was an CCTV camera installed at the Capitol Building during the time of the incident Wilson.
“At the time of the fire and during our investigation, we discovered that there were no CCTV cameras on any floor of the Capitol building—first, second, or third,” Wilson said. “Based on this, we recommended installing cameras to assist future investigations.”
Trial Set to Continue
The defendants were indicted by the Montserrado County Grand Jury on multiple charges linked to the December 18, 2024, fire that destroyed parts of the Legislature’s Joint Chambers.
Court proceedings are scheduled to resume on Friday day, December 12, 2025, with the defense expected to continue.
