As Former Speaker Koffa And Three Other Lawmakers Spend Their First Night At Monrovia Central Prison

PHOTO: Ex-Speaker Koffa (in dark coat suit), Rep. Abu Kamara (first from left) and other lawmakers on the grounds of the Monrovia City Court (below FLASHBACK-the Capitol Building ablaze

 By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com

 TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia—The Monrovia Central Prison at South Beach in the central of the Liberian capital is tonight (Saturday, June 8, 2025) playing host to four current Liberian lawmakers including former House of Representatives who have been formally charged with arson that left the Joint Chambers of the Capital Building destroyed last December.

Both City Court Magistrate, Ben L. Barco and Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi confirmed that there were no bonds filed in favor of the defendants, something that led to their incarceration. From Police Custody To Monrovia Central Prison: Former Speaker Koffa & Other Lawmakers Taken To Jail – News Public Trust

The five lawmakers were charged with arson, criminal mischief, criminal attempt to commit murder, criminal facilitation and Criminal conspiracy among others.

After spending one night at the police headquarters, ex-Speaker Koffa, Representatives Abu Kamara, Dixon Seboe and Jacob Debee were early this morning forwarded to the Monrovia City Court.

Following some six months of leadership feud at the House, Cllr. Koffa recently resigned as Speaker, although the Supreme Court had earlier ruled affirming his Bill of Information that he was the legitimate Speaker, in the wake of the move by his rivals from the “majority bloc” who months ago said he was removed and they had elected a new Speaker, Rep. Richard Nagbe Koon.

Meanwhile, the trial of the four lawmakers currently detained at the Monrovia Central prison is expected to follow shortly.

The Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman on Friday, June 6,2025, charged five lawmakers with multiple offenses connected to the Capitol building alleged arson attack on

Those charged are former speaker of the House of Representatives J. Fonati Kofa, Pricillia Cooper, Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara and Jacob Debee are held in police custody for their alleged involvement.

Initially, police invited seven lawmakers, but J. Marvin Cole of Bong County and Frank Saah Foko were released temporarily.

In an interview with Rep. Foko after his release, he said that he stands by his initial statement made at the police headquarters and he’s available whenever police need him.