Africa-Press – Liberia. Following his release on bail along with four other lawmakers charged by Police on December 8, 2024, Capitol fire, Speaker J. Fonati Koffa vows to challenge his charges head-on in court.
Former House Speaker Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa breaks silence here, after he was bailed out of prison along with three other lawmakers on Monday, June 9, 2025, in connection with the Capitol Building arson attack.
Cllr. Koffa, and three other Liberian Lawmakers, including Representative Dixon Seboe of Montserrado County District #16, Abu Kamara of Montserrado County District #15, and Grand Gedeh County District#3 Representative Jacob Debee, were jailed last Friday in connection to the case.
Police Inspector-General Coleman Gregory Coleman had said “credible links” suggested that Koffa was “strategically involved” in the incident.
IG Coleman said the lawmakers have been charged with a string of offences, including arson, criminal mischief, endangering other people, and attempted murder on former Speaker Koffa.
Former President George Weah filed a property bond using one of Cllr. Koffa’s houses.
But speaking briefly after his release from the Monrovia Central Prison on criminal appearance bond of US$440,000, Cllr. Koffa described the case against him as a basket of innuendos, lies and political witch-hunt.
“In the next few weeks when we begin the preliminary hearings, we will deconstruct the lies by the Police and defend our character that is worthy”, he said.
He noted that the case against him and others that led them to sleep behind bars, were all made-up accusations by the Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman without facts.
“You Know, what the Police IG Gregory has said in his interview that this case is highly political, so you don’t take the partisans word for it; you take the IG word for it. He had made-up a basket full of innuendos, lies and miss statements, but in the next weeks, as we go through this preliminary hearing, we will deconstruct these lies”, Cllr. Koffa added.
“Justice will prevail,” he concluded, while thanking supporters for standing with him.
When asked what life was like in prison, the former speaker responded: “It’s a place for human beings unfortunately that’s the best the state can offer to all Liberians, and I’m not better than those there.”
Koffa and the three others were incarcerated at the Monrovia Prison Compound or South Beach for three nights before being bailed out, after mounting pressure. Further reports said they will appear in court today, Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
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