By Jacqueline L. Dennis
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Defense lawyers representing Christian Kofa and five others in the high-profile Capitol Building arson case have filed a motion requesting that their clients undergo independent medical examinations, rather than evaluations conducted at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK), a government-run facility. Other individuals alleged include John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac, Thomas Etheridge and Stephen Broh.
The motion, filed before Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” on Monday, September 8, argues that JFK lacks the independence necessary to carry out impartial medical assessments, especially in a case where the government is the chief prosecutor.
The six defendants—linked to the alleged torching of the Capitol Building in December 2024—are accused of various crimes related to the incident, which gutted portions of the historic seat of Liberia’s legislature. The blaze destroyed critical documents, damaged legislative chambers, and sparked national outrage over security lapses and potential political motivations behind the attack.
The defense team, which also represents former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debee, is seeking urgent medical evaluations at an independent facility, citing claims of torture, sodomy, and other forms of inhumane treatment allegedly inflicted on their clients by agents of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP).
Serious Allegations of Torture
In a detailed seven-count motion, defense lawyers alleged that their clients were subjected to beatings, waterboarding, and prolonged exposure to bright lights while in custody—methods they say have caused partial blindness, internal injuries, and severe pain while urinating, among other symptoms.
“If the accused are not properly examined or treated by an independent team of medical practitioners, their conditions could worsen—potentially leading to death,” the motion warned.
The defense further argued that JFK, as a parastatal institution under the Government of Liberia, has an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Justice to treat pretrial detainees and inmates, a relationship the lawyers claim introduces a financial incentive to produce findings favorable to the prosecution.
“JFK has a pecuniary motive and is therefore not clothed with the required neutrality,” the motion states. “Our clients cannot trust a government hospital to fairly assess injuries inflicted by government agents.”
Court-Ordered Medical Exams in Jeopardy?
Last week, Judge Willies ordered that all six defendants undergo medical examinations at JFK following defense claims of torture and sodomy, raised during a separate motion to suppress key evidence presented by the prosecution.
The results of those exams were expected to be submitted to the court today, Tuesday, September 9. However, with this new motion now on record, it remains unclear whether the JFK report will be accepted or whether the court will grant the defense’s request for independent medical evaluation.
A Case Under Intense Scrutiny
The Capitol Building fire in December 2024 marked one of the most symbolic attacks on Liberia’s democracy in recent memory. The blaze, which broke out in the early hours of the morning, consumed parts of the Lower House wing and several legislative offices. Initial investigations pointed to arson, and by the end of December, the government had made several high-profile arrests—including individuals connected to then-Speaker Koffa’s political network.
The case has since become a legal and political powder keg, with allegations of politically motivated arrests, abuse of detainees, and constitutional violations clouding the prosecution’s path forward. With Tuesday’s hearing now in limbo, the court faces mounting pressure to uphold due process while balancing national security concerns and the rights of the accused.
