MONROVIA – Criminal Court “A” on Tuesday seated seven jurors in the ongoing trial of former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu B. Kamara, Jacob Debee, and seven others accused in connection with the December 18, 2024 fire that damaged the Capitol Building.
The court must select eight additional jurors to complete the 15‑member panel. Immediately after their selection, the seven jurors were sequestered on the grounds of the Temple of Justice, under strict orders barring all outside contact. Court officers briefly escorted them to retrieve personal belongings before returning them to isolation for the duration of the trial.
Prospective jurors underwent extensive questioning by both prosecution and defense lawyers. Candidates were asked to read passages from newspapers and books to demonstrate basic literacy and comprehension. Several were rejected because of personal or professional ties to the defendants.
One dismissed juror told the court he attends the same church as defendant Dixon W. Seboe, where Seboe serves as an elder. The court found that relationship to be a direct conflict of interest and disqualified him from serving.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, all defendants pleaded not guilty to charges including arson, criminal mischief, endangering and attempted murder.
Earlier in the proceedings, the defense team filed a writ of certiorari before the Supreme Court, seeking review of Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie’s decision denying their motion to suppress evidence. In a September ruling, Judge Willie allowed all disputed evidence to remain in the case. Jury selection is expected to continue this week as the court works to empanel the full jury and move the high‑profile Capitol arson trial forward.
