Weak Evidence, Political Motives—Liberia’s Arson Case Against Koffa Faces Scrutiny
- Michael T
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
The government’s case against former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and several lawmakers over the December 2024 Capitol Building fire is drawing increasing criticism for its lack of concrete evidence and alleged political motivations. Despite the gravity of the charges—including arson, criminal mischief, and attempted murder—defense attorneys and independent observers note that authorities have yet to produce any direct evidence linking Koffa or his colleagues to the crime2912.
Prosecutors have relied primarily on circumstantial claims, such as recorded conversations and tenuous associations, rather than eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, or video footage placing the accused at the scene912. Defense lawyers argue that the case is built on “assumptions and indirect associations rather than substantive proof,” and have called for the charges to be dismissed outright for lack of evidence912. Koffa himself has denounced the proceedings as a “political witch-hunt,” accusing Inspector General Gregory Coleman of pursuing a partisan agenda and describing the prosecution’s evidence as “innuendos, lies, and misstatements”812.
The investigation has also raised questions about the conduct and credibility of both the police and security personnel assigned to the Capitol. Notably, the police were in control of the building at the time of the incident, and previous cases of police misconduct and corruption—including recent suspensions and dismissals for theft and abuse of authority—have undermined public trust in the security forces671012. Koffa has suggested that the investigation cannot be credible without examining the possible involvement or negligence of security officers on duty during the fire12.
The context is one of heightened political tension and a history of using state power for political intimidation4. The aggressive tactics employed in this case, coupled with the lack of substantive evidence and the targeting of opposition lawmakers, are widely viewed as an abuse of power and a continuation of Liberia’s troubling pattern of politicized justice489.
The case against Koffa and other lawmakers appears to rest on weak, circumstantial evidence, with authorities relying on unsubstantiated claims and indirect sources. Meanwhile, the role of security forces at the Capitol remains suspect, further fueling concerns that the investigation is less about justice and more about political retribution4912.
__________________________________________________
Get Involved
Do you have additional facts to add to this insight or an opinion you would like to express?
Email Us
Additional Sources
https://inquirernewspaper.com/one-axed-2-suspended-for-corruption-misconduct/
https://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/africa/liberia0905/5.htm
https://smartnewsliberia.com/lnp-dismisses-and-suspends-officers-over-corruption-and-misconduct/
https://liberianinvestigator.com/update/wright-grills-state-capitol-fire-charges/
https://thenewsnewspaperonline.com/corrupt-lnp-officer-dismissedtwo-others-suspended/
Commentaires