MONROVIA – Family members of John Nyanti, one of the individuals accused in the December 18, 2024 arson attack on the Joint Chambers of the Capitol Building, have broken their silence, describing his recent return and subsequent detention in Liberia as both unlawful and orchestrated under questionable circumstances.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Madam Priscilla Nyanti, sister and official spokesperson, accused the Government, through the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the National Security Agency (NSA), of collaborating with Mr. Koffa Nyanti, a cousin of the accused, to facilitate John’s forced return to Liberia from Ghana.
According to Madam Nyanti, John had fled to Ghana out of fear for his life following the December 18, 2024 fire incident at the Capitol Building.
She alleged that her brother was brought back on June 6, under the pretext of serving as a state witness in the case involving former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and three other lawmakers.
As part of the deal, Madam Nyanti disclosed, the government reportedly assured John of non-prosecution, promised a cash payment of US$50,000, of which only US$2,000 has reportedly been paid, and offered relocation opportunities for him and his family to a European country of his choosing.
She also revealed that the key liaison in this arrangement, Mr. Koffa Nyanti has since been appointed as Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Special Envoy for Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, raising further concerns about possible quid pro quo arrangements. “John was not returned voluntarily; he was coerced. He was taken straight to the Lifestyle Hotel in Thinkers Village, where he was kept under the watch of top officials from both the NSA and the LNP,” Madam Nyanti claimed.
“This is a clear abuse of power, and we are deeply troubled by the government’s conduct.” According to her, on June 16, John was taken to the LNP’s Central Headquarters to respond to a detailed three-page questionnaire to prepare his testimony against the accused lawmakers.
The move, she said, was meant to conclude his cooperation with state prosecutors ahead of the full trial.
However, contrary to expectations, John has reportedly refused to cooperate, declaring his innocence and vowing to prove it in court. “He is not a criminal. He will not lie to bring others down for a promise already broken,” Madam Nyanti emphasized.
When contacted for clarification, Madam Cecelia Clarke, official spokesperson of the Liberia National Police, declined to comment on the matter.
“I am not in a position to speak to the issue at this moment,” she said, adding that she would need to consult with her superiors before offering an official response.
The allegations, if substantiated, could raise serious questions about the government’s handling of the Capitol arson case and its use of internal security agencies to secure testimonies under questionable terms.
As the trial date nears and scrutiny around the case intensifies, observers are calling for transparency, due process, and adherence to the rule of law to avoid the appearance of politically-motivated prosecutions.
The Ministry of Justice and the National Security Agency have not yet responded to requests for comment at the time of this publication.
