While Ex-Pres. Weah Says He Will Lead Opposition To Watch The Trial, But Calls For Peaceful Assembly
PHOTO: (above) FLASHBACK: Former Speaker Cllr. Fonati Koffa and ex-Pres. George Weah and (below) Ex-Speaker Koffa (in dark coat suit), Rep. Abu Kamara (first from left) and other lawmakers on the grounds of the Monrovia City Court
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- The Monrovia City Court has placed a writ of Ne-exeat Republica (travel ban) on former Liberian House Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and four other lawmakers from leaving the Country, as former President George Manneh Weah has promised to lead opposition officials and supporters to witness the trial at the court on Monday.
Former Speaker Koffa of Weah’s CDC party and the others were over the weekend charged by the Liberia National Police with multiple offenses and forwarded to Court in connection to the burning of the Capitol Building fire in December 2024.
Those placed on travel ban are Representatives Fonati Koffa, Abu Kamara, Dixon Seboe, Jocab Debee and Prescila Cooper.
The City Court headed by Judge Barco over the weekend, granted the prosecution request for the four lawmakers to be banned from leaving Liberia.
The writ of Ne-Exeat Republica restricted all state security agencies at various entry points in the Country to arrest the living bodies of the five representatives including Fonati Koffa, Abu Kamara, Dixon Seboe, Jocab Debee and Presclila Cooper who will attempt leaving the country.
Former House Speaker Koffa and four other lawmakers were charged with arson, criminal attempt to commit murder, criminal facilitation, Criminal solicitation, Criminal conspiracy, making false statement to law enforcement officers among others.
Among the lawmakers charged, four were sent to jail at the Monrovia Central Prison, while one was released to his lawyer.
Meanwhile, former President Weah and three other opposition leaders—Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Foreign Minister, D. Maxwell Kemayah of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) party—are calling on their supporters to peacefully assemble at the Temple of Justice tomorrow, Monday to show solidarity with ex-Speaker Koffa and the others now behind bars.
Speaker on some local radio stations in Monrovia Sunday night, former President Weah said he believes the national police is professional and that they will allow opposition supporters to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly.
However, the main opposition CDC political leader urged supporters to be peaceful and yield to police instructions at the Temple of Justice.