Africa-Press – Liberia. The Liberia National Police is warning against threats of unrest, as suspects of the Capitol fire appear in court today, Monday.
The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Gregory O. W. Coleman, has issued a stern warning to individuals circulating messages of unrest or inciting violence amid the arrest and detention of several lawmakers here, emphasizing that Liberia has already paid a high price for peace and stability.
In a statement posted to his official Facebook page over the weekend, IG Coleman cautioned that the LNP will not allow fear, threats, or incitement to reverse the democratic gains the country has made. He stressed that the police remain “vigilant, professional, and committed to protecting all citizens without bias or favor.”
His comments follow growing political tension, and a wave of public protests linked to the recent arrest of several sitting lawmakers accused in connection with a December 2024 arson attack on the Capitol Building.
“Let me be clear: this is not a political battle. This is a matter of justice. The law does not see colors or party lines, it sees facts, and it demands accountability,” Coleman wrote.
IG Coleman disclosed that a month-long investigation into the arson incident, conducted by the Joint Security and national law enforcement agencies, has now concluded, revealing what he described as a coordinated plan, aimed at destroying a national symbol and destabilizing the nation.
“These findings are not assumptions or opinions; they are based on verified evidence and guided by the law,” he said in his address to the nation on Friday, June 6.
According to Coleman, both private individuals and sitting lawmakers have been implicated in the attack. He called the outcome of the investigation “difficult but necessary,” reaffirming the police’s duty to uphold the law impartially.
The charges brought against the suspects are based on Liberia’s Revised Penal Code and include arson, criminal conspiracy, and related offenses.
The Police Chief stressed that the suspects will now face legal proceedings under the authority of the courts, as is their constitutional right.
Coleman urged all Liberians, regardless of political affiliation, to remain calm and to respect the judicial process.
“We are stronger when we resolve our differences through dialogue, not destruction,” he said. “Liberia will not fall. Liberia will rise, stronger, united, and determined to defend democracy.”
Meanwhile, Rep. J. Fonati Koffa, Rep. Jacob Debee, Rep. Dixon Seboe, and Rep. Abu Kamara, were arraigned before the Monrovia City Court on Saturday, June 7, and denied bail. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the December 2024 blaze that severely damaged the Joint Chambers of the Legislature.
The court’s decision to deny bail has drawn criticism from opposition supporters, who view the arrests as politically motivated. Protests erupted outside the Monrovia Central Prison, where the lawmakers are being held. In response, the LNP has tightened security around the facility, erecting barricades and deploying additional officers.
Legal proceedings are expected to continue today, Monday, June 9, with the nation closely watching what has become a critical test for Liberia’s justice system and political stability.
At the same time the former ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has mobilized supporters, and allies from the broader opposition community to converge today, Monday, at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia in solidarity of the accused.
The protest aims to show solidarity with four opposition lawmakers linked to an alleged arson attack on the Capitol Building.
The four lawmakers, former Speaker J. Fonati Kofa, Dixon Sebo, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debee were detained over the weekend at the Monrovia Central Prison. They were formally charged with arson by the Liberia National Police.
Addressing a press conference in Congo Town over the weekend, CDC National Chairman Janga Kowo, called on all CDCians and opposition supporters to gather at the Civil Law Court, where the detained lawmakers are expected to appear today.
Chairman Kowo accused the Unity Party-led government of crossing the line by initially inviting opposition lawmakers for questioning, only to detain them afterward.
He described the detained lawmakers as “political prisoners,” and urged the international community to take note.
“The peace in Liberia is not being upheld by armed police presence,” Kowo said. “It is being maintained by the opposition community’s desire for peace.”
He demanded the immediate release of the four lawmakers, asserting that they are innocent and are being held merely to undermine the opposition ahead of the 2029 presidential and legislative elections.
The Liberia National Police had invited seven lawmakers for questioning last Friday in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Capitol Building’s arson. However, the questioning led to the arrest and detention of four of them.
The planned mass gathering today at the Temple of Justice raises concerns about potential clashes between opposition supporters and anti-riot police, as authorities are unlikely to welcome such a large-scale protest at the judiciary compound.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
