TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia – The prosecution’s first witness in the ongoing case regarding the fire that gutted Liberia’s Capitol Building has implicated defendant Thomas Etheridge and others in the alleged arson. The testimony was delivered on Wednesday at the Monrovia City Court.
By Victoria G. Wesseh
Inspector ACP Rafell Wilson, testifying for the prosecution, stated that Etheridge and other suspects, including John Nyanti, Amos Folfa, and Stephen Broh (some of whom remain at large), were allegedly present in the building when it was set on fire on January 22, 2025.
Under cross-examination by defense lawyers, Wilson confirmed that Etheridge and his co-defendants had been charged and brought to court. He claimed, “The defendants surreptitiously and maliciously entered the building with gasoline and matches. They moved to the 3rd and 4th floors, spread the gas, and lit the fire, which gutted the building, causing damages valued at over eight million six hundred thousand United States dollars.”
Wilson recounted that on December 18, 2024, at approximately 5:50 a.m., employees of the Capitol Building’s maintenance department, including James Mulbah, arrived at the premises and began unlocking doors. Mulbah accessed the east side of the building, which faces the University of Liberia, and proceeded to open additional doors. He later opened the main gate near the Speaker’s wing, where the Speaker’s vehicle is usually parked.
Wilson testified that at around 6:20 to 6:30 a.m., Mulbah encountered defendant Eric Susay near the Speaker’s wing, and they greeted each other. Shortly after, the fire broke out, prompting police and law enforcement agencies to respond and declare the Capitol Building a crime scene.
Wilson revealed that over 65 individuals were brought to the Liberia National Police (LNP) headquarters as persons of interest during the initial investigation. Among them was defendant Etheridge, for whom Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi later intervened, requesting to sign for Etheridge and others detained for questioning.
The case continues as the prosecution works to establish its claims against Etheridge and the other defendants.
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