AS Crowd Gather Outside Liberia’s Police HQ, With Tension Increasing Among Opposition Supporters
PHOTO: (L-R) Ex-Speker Koffa before his detention, Police IG Coleman addressing the press confab, Ex-Rep. Acarous Gray and opposition Supporters (below) Police barricade HQ entrance
By Our Staff Writer
As night fell this evening on Monrovia’s Capitol Hill, a crowd has gathered opposite the headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP, who had earlier arrested and charged former House Speaker, Cllr. Fonati Koffa and six other Lawmakers with being responsible for the fire that destroyed the Joint Chamers of the Capitol Building last December. Big Fire Engulfing The Seat Of Liberia’s Legislature Follows Tuesday’s Bloody Street Protest – News Public Trust
This has triggered tensions among supporters of the former Speaker and his colleagues in the opposition.
After being arrested earlier today, Friday, June 7, 2025, the former Speaker and his other colleagues are expected to spend their first night in police custody, after being invested for investigation as persons of interest.
Now, Police Inspector General (IG) Gregory Coleman has told a news conference at the LNP HQ that the seven lawmakers are charged with the crimes of criminal facilitation, arson, and criminal conspiracy to commit arson, in connection with the December 2024 fire.
Other members of the House of Representative charged are:
Frank Saah Foko, District #9, Montserrado County
Abu B. Kamara, District #15, Montserrado County
Dixon Seboe, District #16, Montserrado County
Priscilla Cooper, District #5, Montserrado County
Marvin Cole, District #3, Bong County
Jacob Debee, District #3, Grand Gedeh County
A crowd of their supporters have converged opposite the LNP headquarters at the Capitol Byepass end, as the police have cordon off the entrance to their HQ.
Details on the legal twist and turn of this developing story will follow subsequently.