MONROVIA – Former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and three other lawmakers charged in connection with the December 2024 Capitol Building fire have filed a motion with Criminal Court “A” seeking to compel state prosecutors to produce all evidence used to indict them.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In their Motion for Discovery, filed through their lawyers at International Law Group, the accused – Koffa, Representatives Dixon W. Seboe, Abu B. Kamara, and Jacob C. Debbie – argue that more than 42 days have passed since their arrest and indictment without prosecutors disclosing the alleged evidence.
The lawmakers, along with several co-defendants, face multiple charges including arson, criminal mischief, conspiracy, solicitation, intent to commit murder, illegal possession of firearm, and recklessly endangering another person. They were arrested on May 16, 2025, following a writ from the Monrovia City Court, and later released on property valuation bonds after a preliminary hearing established probable cause.
However, their motion contends that the prosecution’s continued withholding of evidence violates both legal procedure and their constitutional right to prepare a defense. They maintain their innocence, denying ever meeting with other defendants to plan the crimes alleged.
The filing also requests a speedy trial in line with Article 21(f) of the 1986 Constitution, which guarantees timely proceedings for accused persons.
The Capitol fire case, which has gripped national attention, remains one of the most politically sensitive prosecutions in recent years, with sitting lawmakers among the accused. Criminal Court “A” Resident Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie is expected to rule on the motion in the coming days.
In June, former Speaker Koffa and four sitting lawmakers appeared before the Monrovia City Court in connection with the December 2024 fire at the Capitol Building. Koffa, along with Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, Prescilla Cooper, and Jacob Debee II, faced charges including arson, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, attempted murder, criminal facilitation, and conspiracy. They have denied the charges and termed them as politically motivated. Four of them—excluding Cooper—were briefly detained at the Monrovia Central Prison before being released on bail.
The fire, which severely damaged part of the Capitol Building, occurred amid heightened tensions between ruling and opposition lawmakers. Seven legislators were initially questioned, but two were released without charge.
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