Monrovia – The Monrovia City Court has denied a motion filed by state prosecutors to nullify the criminal appearance bond posted by former House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and several co-defendants in connection with the Capitol Building arson case.
By Willie N. Tokpah
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Judge Ben Barco declared that the bond meets the legal requirements outlined under Chapter 13 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law. “The court finds that the bond is legally sufficient,” Judge Barco said. “The motion to quash the bond is hereby denied.”
The ruling allows Koffa and his co-defendants to remain free pending trial.
Koffa and others have been accused of involvement in a recent arson attack on the Capitol Building — an incident that has drawn national attention and heightened political tensions.
In response to the charges, Koffa and his legal team filed a criminal appearance bond to secure his release during the legal proceedings. However, prosecutors challenged the bond, claiming it did not reflect the financial gravity of the alleged offense and failed to guarantee the defendants’ appearance in court.
The court rejected those arguments, stating that the government did not provide sufficient legal grounds to invalidate the bond.
Koffa has denied the allegations and described the case as politically motivated.
The case now proceeds to its next phase, with the defendants expected to appear in court in accordance with the terms of their approved bond.