By Jacqueline Dennis
MONROVIA – One of the prime suspects in the alleged Capitol Building Arson Case, John Nyanti, has been placed behind bars at the Monrovia Central Prison (commonly known as South Beach).
Nyanti was arrested by state security and was escorted to Criminal Court “A” by officers of the Liberia National Police.
He alleged that the Government of Liberia through the Liberia National Police (LNP), told him to lie on former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa regarding the Capitol building fire incident.
Nyanti further alleged that the government promised to give him US$200,000 to testify against Koffa. He claimed that several top officials in government reached out to him.
During the preliminary hearing recently, state witness Peter Johnson testified that one of the defendants, Dixon Seboe, helped the suspect Nyanti, to escape from Liberia to Côte d’Ivoire. But Nyanti has denied his assertions as not true.
Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, has concluded with the selection of the Special Grand Jury in this high-profile case involving five members of the House of Representatives, including former Speaker Koffa, Abu Kamara, Dixion Seboe, Jacob Debee and Priscilla Abram Cooper.
These lawmakers are faced with multiple offenses, including Arson, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Attempt to commit murder, Criminal Misconduct, and Criminal Solicitation.
The Special Grand Jury for Montserrado County is expected to evaluate all of the pieces of evidence presented to the panel, which will decide whether or not they can issue an indictment against the defendants.
The case originally came after Magistrate Ben Barco of the Monrovia City Court denied a motion from the defendants seeking to dismiss the charges. Magistrate Barco than ruled and forwarded the case to the Criminal Court “A”.
