Monrovia — The Monrovia City Court witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Friday, as state prosecutors presented a phone call recording, which they claimed could link defendant Thomas Ethedrige to the alleged CCapitol Building blaze.
By Willie Tokpah, [email protected]
However, the recording has come under intense scrutiny for containing no direct references to the fire itself, raising significant doubts about the government’s case.
The Capitol Fire, which broke out on December 18, devastated the Joint Chamber of the Legislature, triggering widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
The incident caused substantial property damage and severely disrupted governmental functions, widely seen as an attack on the nation’s democratic processes.
Since the fire, authorities have arrested Thomas Ethedrige and others, accusing them of playing a role in orchestrating the attack. High-ranking government officials have strongly condemned the act as a heinous assault on democracy.
Yet, during Friday’s proceedings, defense lawyers underscored the weakness of the prosecution’s evidence. The phone call recording presented in court contained no discussions about the fire or any related plans. Instead, the conversation appeared to focus on unrelated personal matters, casting doubt on the validity of the prosecution’s allegations.
The recording was introduced after Lewis Jayjay of the National Security Agency (NSA) unlocked Ethedrige’s phone, which contained the conversation. Despite the prosecution’s claims, the absence of any mention of the Capitol Fire raised serious questions about the strength of their case.
Defense attorneys seized upon this discrepancy, arguing that the lack of relevant evidence undermined the state’s claims. The revelation has placed further pressure on the government to provide more concrete proof to support their serious charges.
The trial took another shocking turn when prosecutors were found to have misrepresented the credentials of a key witness.
During the hearing, prosecutors introduced Lewis Jayjay as a technician from the Liberia National Police (LNP) who had unlocked Ethedrige’s phone. However, defense attorneys, including Cllrs. Wilkins Wright and Jonathan Massaquoi, quickly objected, demanding clarification of Jayjay’s credentials.
Under questioning from Presiding Magistrate Ben Barco, Jayjay admitted that he was employed by the NSA, not the LNP as previously stated. This revelation prompted the court to fine the prosecution US$100 for misleading the court.
Legal experts warn that such misconduct could severely undermine the integrity of the trial and erode public trust in the justice system. Misrepresentation of evidence in high-profile cases risks wrongful convictions, perpetuating a cycle of injustice.
As the trial continues, it is critical for all parties involved to uphold ethical standards and ensure the rule of law is respected. Meanwhile, critics are calling for a thorough review of the prosecutors’ actions to prevent further misconduct and safeguard the democratic principles that underpin Liberia’s justice system.