By Jacqueline Dennis
In a significant development in the alleged arson case involving multiple defendants, Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has approved a US$500,000 property bond at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia. The bond will allow for their release.
The joint property bond, valued at US$500,000, is secured by a property deed worth US$6 million (Six Million United States Dollars) for the release of Thomas Etheridge and others involved in the case. Judge Willie approved the bond on Monday, August 4, 2025, and designated a hearing for Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The defendants expected to be released include Thomas Etheridge, Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Stephen Broh, and Gabriel Fansieh, among others.
According to the bond agreement, “Now Therefore, we, the sureties, Randolph J. Cole and Rufina J. Cole, owners of said deed and a two-story building located thereon, duly registered and probated, and authorized by law to be surety for this bond, hereby offer our property deed for the sum of US$500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). We commit on behalf of the defendants to ensure their appearance on the 6th day of August A.D. 2025, at 1:00 A.M./P.M. for the hearing of this case and all subsequent hearings until the matter is fully adjudicated.”
The bond further noted, “In witness whereof, we, Randolph J. Cole and Rufina J. Cole, through our Attorney-in-Fact Mr. Patrick B. Coleman, have set our hands and affixed our signatures on this day in A.D. 2025.”
All defendants maintain their innocence concerning the alleged fire incident at the Capitol building, which occurred in December 2024. The Liberia National Police arrested and charged multiple individuals in connection with this alleged crime.
Thomas Etheridge, one of the defendants, claimed he was tortured by state security during his arrest. John Nyanti, who the prosecution alleges is the prime suspect in the case, stated to journalists on the grounds of the Temple of Justice that the Liberian government pressured him to falsely implicate former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa in exchange for $200,000.
The prosecution, representing the government of Liberia, asserts that it possesses multiple audio recordings linking the defendants to the alleged crime. The burden of proof rests with the prosecution to establish its case against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is expected to be placed on the docket for the upcoming August term.
Stephen Broh, one of the defendants, is dealing with personal loss, having missed his father’s funeral on July 17 due to the legal proceedings, which adds an emotional dimension to the ongoing legal saga.
The defendants face multiple charges, including arson, criminal mischief, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation, intent to commit murder, aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm, distribution of controlled substances, recklessly endangering another person, and theft of property.
