Lawmakers Accused of Arson Attack On Liberia Parliament Released From Prison After Paying $440,000

Source: Africa Publicity

A former Speaker of the Liberian House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, and three members of the House of Representatives accused of carrying out arson attack on Liberia’s Capitol Building, have been released from the Monrovia Central Prison after paying a bond of $440,000.

The four lawmakers Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Abu Kamara, Dixon Seboe and Jacob Debee had been charged over their alleged role in the burning of the Capitol building in December 2024. Their charges include arson, criminal mischief, attempted murder and other alleged offences.

On Friday night, June 6, 2025, lawmakers Kamara, Seboe and Debee – who are all members of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) party – were detained over the arson.

Liberia National Police announced on Friday that there were “credible links” to suggest Koffa was “strategically involved” in the incident even though he has previously denied any connection to the arson.

The lawmakers had spent a night in detention at the national police headquarters, before being transferred to the Monrovia Central Prison on Saturday, where they were held for two nights.

Representative Priscilla Cooper who was also charged, was not detained because of ill-health.

Even though they have succeeded in regaining their freedom  – at least temporarily- the court has placed a travel ban on the accused pending the conclusion of the case.

It would be recalled that fire gutted the Rotunda of the Capitol Building early Wednesday morning, December 18, 2024. The Rotunda is the Joint Chamber of the Liberian Legislature. Until what has now been confirmed as an arson attack, it had hosted meetings of the members of Representative Richard N. Koon’s so-called Majority Bloc.