Africa-Press – Liberia. The ruling followed a formal application by state prosecutors, who alleged juror misconduct and claimed the panel The move came after Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, on Friday, January 2, 2026, ordered the dissolution of the entire jury panel and suspended the matter until the next term of court. /ex-Speaker Fonati Koffa.
Defense lawyers for former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and his co-defendants have announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia and formally requested bail for all accused persons, following the disbandment of the jury in the Capitol Arson case.
The move came after Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, on Friday, January 2, 2026, ordered the dissolution of the entire jury panel and suspended the matter until the next term of court.
The ruling followed a formal application by state prosecutors, who alleged juror misconduct and claimed the panel had become “contaminated” and incapable of delivering an impartial verdict.
Immediately after the ruling, Defense Counsel Cllr. Wilkins Wright announced in open court that the defense had taken exception and would invoke the controlling statute by filing an appeal before the Supreme Court.
He further submitted an application requesting that all defendants be released on bail, citing what he described as an already-approved criminal appearance bond that had never been vacated by the court.
According to the defense, the bond, lodged and approved prior to the commencement of trial, was later supplemented with human sureties, as required by law.
Cllr. Wright argued that there was no legal justification for the continued detention of the defendants, particularly in light of the prosecution’s failure to present credible evidence linking them to the alleged arson.
“The prosecution has not produced any credible evidence of arson against these defendants,” Cllr. Wright told the court.
“They are responsible citizens of this Republic, have no intention to abscond, and have demonstrated their willingness to submit to the authority of the court.”
He further emphasized the defendants’ constitutional right to freedom of movement, noting that the court was set to close on January 2, 2026, with no new trial date announced.
State Prosecutor Cllr. Augustine Fayiah, however objected to the defense’s bail application, urging the court to rescind it on grounds of procedure and precedent.
He argued that the issue of bail should have been raised at the beginning of the case and warned that granting the request at this stage would violate the principle of stare decisis, potentially resulting in inconsistent rulings.
Judge Notes Exception, Defers Bail Decision
In his ruling, Judge Willie acknowledged and granted the defense’s exception but declined to immediately place the defendants on bail.
He referenced an earlier ruling that imposed specific bail conditions, noting that those conditions had not yet been fully satisfied.
Inside sources at the court disclosed that three of the defendants had previously been placed on flat rate, while others would still need to be assessed to determine whether they pose a flight risk before any bail determination could proceed.
“The court does not reject the possibility of bail,” Judge Willie clarified, “but the earlier ruling must be revisited, and other relevant issues considered before a final determination is made.”
Jury Disbanded Amid Evidentiary Disputes
The decision to disband the jury followed a prosecution request made on Monday, December 29, during the 41st day of jury sitting in the November Term of Court.
Prosecutors alleged juror misconduct, claiming the integrity of the panel had been compromised.
However, the request came amid increasing public scrutiny and growing inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, including disputed forensic claims and video evidence that jurors themselves reportedly questioned during trial proceedings.
Defense lawyers characterized the prosecution’s move as a tacit admission that the case had collapsed under the weight of contradictory testimony and unreliable evidence.
The Capitol Arson case has attracted nationwide attention since charges were filed against former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and Co-defendants over the alleged burning of the Capitol Building.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution’s case was marked by conflicting witness accounts, questions surrounding investigative procedures, and credibility concerns involving key pieces of evidence.
The defense has consistently maintained that the case is politically motivated and unsupported by facts, an argument that gained renewed attention after the prosecution itself sought the dissolution of the jury.
With the matter now suspended and an appeal headed to the Supreme Court, legal observers say the prosecution faces a steep challenge should it attempt to restart the case.
For Former Speaker Koffa and his co-defendants, the latest development represents a major legal turning point, one their lawyers say reinforces a central claim of the defense, that the state has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
