MONROVIA – ‘What goes around, comes around’; or ‘Karma is a bitch’. The saying came back to bite former House Speaker Counselor Jonathan Fonati Koffa when he and others were called by the Liberia National Police (LNP) for questioning as it relates to the alleged arson attack on the Capitol Building.
Cllr. Koffa probably had the inclination before leaving his home to come on the invitation of the Liberia National Police (LNP) that he wouldn’t have been allowed to go back home. He came “prepared” with one major household item—toothbrush— which he displayed to journalists who swarmed him when he disembarked his vehicle to walk into the confine of the LNP.
After he had been held and or questioned for several hours for the most part of Friday, June 6, the Police Inspector General (IG), Colonel Gregory O. W. Coleman announced late evening that the former Speaker, and five of seven lawmakers who had been called for questioning, were being detained and charged.
Their charges include Arson, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Facilitation, Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, and Criminal Conspiracy.
Col. Coleman is holding those five current lawmakers responsible for setting the Capitol Building on fire and destroying its Joint Chamber back on December 18, 2024. On that Wednesday, the Joint Chamber, 4th floor, and the dome within the Representative wing of the Capitol Building were set ablaze and destroyed.
According to police sources, the charges stem from allegations that Koffa utilized his office staff to execute the alleged arson attack on the Capitol Building. The police have indicated that Koffa and his associates not only financed the plot but also orchestrated it.
Grand Gedeh County District #3 Representative Jacob Debee, Montserrado County District #15 Representative Abu B. Kamara, Representative Dixon Seboe, Montserrado County District #16, and Representative Priscillia Cooper of Montserrado County, District #5 are being detained at the Headquarters of the LNP. Earlier, the Police had released Montserrado County District #9 Representative, Frank Saah Foko and Bong County District #3 Representative J. Marvin Cole back into the society as free men.
Before he had announced their detention and charges, the Police IG said the alleged action of those lawmakers and their accomplices, was an affront to Liberia’s democratic principles. “Well, my fellow Liberia, I must unequivocally assert that the current political climate of Liberia, no individual, regardless of their status, influence, or affiliation, is above the law. The arson attack on the Capitol Hill was not merely an act of vandalism. It was an affront to our democratic principles, an assault on the institutions that sustain our republic, and a deliberate attempt to destabilize our hard-earned peace. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes have been charged and will be subsequently forwarded to court,” IG Coleman said.
The LNP is going to probably forward the accused to court on Monday, June 9, as the Police Chief promised that they won’t be held beyond the legal period of 72 hours.
The Police Chief hopes that he and men and women’s action today, will serve as a ‘stern warning.’ “This serves as a stern warning not only to them but to anyone who seeks to undermine public order, challenge our collective progress, and try to exploit impunity. The Republic of Liberia will hold you accountable and justice will be served. As we proudly announce Liberia’s induction as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council on June 4[3], 2025, we do recognize the global responsibility that comes with this honor.”
He further stated that to hold this obligation sacred, Liberia must now exercise maturity befitting its role on the world stage; adding: “Maintaining peace and stability within our borders and upholding the rule of law is no longer just a domestic concern. It is a paramount international obligation.”
Inspector General Coleman made himself very clear: “Let me be clear. No one who violates the law of the Republic of Liberia will walk with impunity. The era of tolerance for lawlessness is over.”
The Police also charged few people as accomplices to the alleged crimes, including Jerry Pokah alias Tyrese and Kivin Bah alias Kaba, along with defendant Thomas Isaac Etheridge alias Tom, who is now before the court, Eric Sasay as well as John Nyantee, Amos Koffa, Stephen Broh, Patience Bestman, Grace Johnson, and others who remain at large.
Why Karma Is A Bitch In This Case
Back in May 2016, Counselor Koffa served as the Chief Prosecutor in the Sable Mining Case against former Unity Party Chairman, Counselor Varney Sherman, then House Speaker Alex J. Tyler and others, including now Tourist Ambassador, Mr. Christopher H. Onanuga. Today, Tyler is a sitting Senator for Bomi County.
Former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had set up a force, comprising the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Justice to investigate a corruption report released by the London-based watchdog, Global Witness (GW). GW had alleged that more than US$950,000 in bribes and other suspicious payments were made to top Liberian officials by the Britain-based Sable Mining Company and its Liberian lawyer, Cllr. Varney Sherman.
The GW report entitled, ‘The Deceivers,’ unearthed that Sable Mining wanted to get the concession rights to Liberia’s Wologizi iron ore and Cllr. Sherman allegedly told the company that in order to get the contract, Sable Mining must first offer bribes to senior officials to change Liberia’s concession laws.
And so, Sherman, Speaker Tyler and others were arrested and disgracefully made to appear in court even though they were so-called ‘bigshots’.
Cllr. Koffa at the time headed the Task Force and was Minister of State without Portfolio in the Office of President Sirleaf.
Fast forward to June 2025, Cllr. Koffa, who resigned from House Speakership 24 days ago on May 13, 2025, is set to be prosecuted, too.
The State may not hire the Veteran legal luminary, Cllr. Sherman, on its team to help in the prosecution but when that happens, it’s going to be a showdown in court.
