MONROVIA – The ongoing arson trial involving prominent Liberian political figures took a sensational turn on Wednesday, June 11, as the prosecution presented its second witness, Officer Raphael A. Wilson, lead investigator from the Liberia National Police’s Crime Services Department.
His testimony unveiled a complex network of conspiracy tied to the December 2024 arson of the Joint Chamber of the Capitol Building, implicating several key political operatives including J. Fonati Koffa, Jacob C. Debee, Dixon W. Seeboe, and Abu B. Kamara.
Officer Wilson’s statement painted a picture of a “coordinated and deliberate effort” rather than a spontaneous act of destruction. He testified that suspicious activities began as early as November 10, 2024, around William R. Tolbert Hall, where the Capitol Building Joint Chamber is located.
A pivotal moment came on December 9 when an audio recording capturing a conversation among Rep. Kamara, Debee, and Koffa was presented, indicating the existence of a “Plan B” to disrupt legislative functions.
The prosecution claims this audio evidence, sourced from social media and later verified in court by both Kamara and Koffa, can be linked directly to the arson incident that subsequently unfolded.
Wilson described the events surrounding the protests on December 17, 2024, which spiraled into violence. Testimony revealed that defendant Seboe allegedly recruited individuals from New Kru Town to incite chaos at the protest. In the early hours of December 18, approximately 1:00 AM, the Capitol Building was set alight.
The prosecution alleged that the arson was executed by defendants Etherege, Nyantee, Koffa, and Broh, who procured gasoline from Buchanan and Carey Streets, with Etherege reportedly filming the blaze for proof of their undertaking.
Further complicating the case, Officer Wilson revealed a planned escape route for key suspects. Seboe allegedly coordinated logistics and financing for others, including John Nyantee and Amos Koffa, to flee the country using false identities via the Loguatuo border. Audio evidence of conversations between Seboe and an alleged accomplice, Patrick Ali, was presented, raising the stakes of the already charged trial.
Despite defense objections arguing against the recordings’ authenticity and chain of custody, the court deemed the evidence admissible, aggravating tensions in the courtroom.
The trial has been rife with disputes, with defense attorneys consistently challenging the prosecution’s methods and evidence. Nonetheless, the court has largely sided with the prosecution, allowing most evidence to be presented.
The defendants face serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, arson, assault on law enforcement, and obstruction of governance, all of which carry significant implications for Liberia’s political landscape amid concerns over national security and democratic integrity.
As the trial progresses, there is mounting interest in how these revelations will impact public trust and political stability within the country, especially given the high-profile nature of those implicated.
Closing arguments in the preliminary hearing are expected tomorrow, with the defense team expanding to include additional attorneys from Gongloe & Associates, pledging to robustly defend their clients against these serious allegations.
The courtroom remains packed with onlookers, reflecting the case’s significance as it unfolds, one testimony at a time. More revelations are anticipated as the trial resumes.
