Monrovia – John Nyanti, a key suspect in the December 2024 Capitol Building arson attack, has accused the Government of Liberia of attempting to bribe him with US$200,000 to falsely implicate former House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and other lawmakers.
By Willie N. Tokpah & Victoria Wesseh, [email protected], [email protected]
Nyanti, who was extradited from Ghana under heavy security, made the allegation during a pretrial hearing held at Criminal Court “A” in Monrovia on Wednesday, June 18. The case has attracted nationwide attention since the fire gutted the Joint Chambers of the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024, raising questions about sabotage, political motives, and security lapses at one of Liberia’s most symbolic institutions.
Speaking under oath, Nyanti claimed he was held under de facto house arrest at the Lifestyle Hotel in Thinkers Village upon his arrival in Liberia on June 6. While there, he alleged, he was placed under 24-hour surveillance and pressured by senior security officials identified only by their code names “106,” “103,” and a man named Mark Ambula.
According to Nyanti, these officials offered him US$200,000 in exchange for a statement that would incriminate former Speaker Koffa in masterminding the Capitol fire. “They told me they needed me to help the government get Fonati Koffa. They offered me two hundred thousand dollars. But I told them, ‘If you have evidence, why do you need me to lie?’” Nyanti declared during the hearing.
Visibly agitated, Nyanti described the alleged bribery attempt as “a lie from the belly of the devil,” insisting he would not falsely testify to bring down anyone under political orders. He said he had initially believed the offer involved witness protection and relocation for him and his family, but later realized it was an effort to secure false testimony.
Despite the explosive nature of his claims, Nyanti did not provide documented proof of the alleged bribery attempt. As of publication, officials from the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) have declined to respond to the accusation, further fueling public speculation about the integrity of the prosecution’s case.
Nyanti’s allegations came just a day after his family issued a public statement questioning the circumstances surrounding his return from Ghana. Speaking on behalf of the family, Madam Priscilla Nyanti, John’s sister, described the extradition as coercive and politically motivated. According to her, Nyanti fled to Ghana shortly after the December incident out of fear for his life.
She said he was lured back under false pretenses — specifically that he would be offered immunity from prosecution, receive US$50,000, and be relocated with his family to a European country of his choosing. However, only US$2,000 was reportedly paid, and none of the relocation promises materialized.
What further raised eyebrows, according to Madam Nyanti, was the role played by their cousin, Koffa Nyanti, whom she claims coordinated the negotiations with Liberian authorities. That same cousin, she revealed, has since been rewarded with a high-level appointment as Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Special Envoy for Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — a move she labeled as “highly suspicious” and indicative of political trade-offs.
“John was not returned voluntarily; he was coerced,” she told reporters. “He was taken straight from the airport to the Lifestyle Hotel, kept under surveillance, and interrogated without legal counsel. This is a clear abuse of power, and we are deeply concerned.”
On June 16, according to Madam Nyanti, her brother was taken to LNP headquarters and presented with a detailed three-page questionnaire that prosecutors allegedly intended to use to frame Speaker Koffa and other lawmakers. He refused to sign it, she said, declaring his intent to prove his innocence through legal proceedings.
Legal experts and civil society groups have since called for an independent investigation into Nyanti’s claims. “If proven, these allegations of bribery, coercion, and witness tampering could severely undermine the integrity of the government’s case,” said a prominent Monrovia-based attorney who asked not to be named. “It could also expose serious violations of due process and fundamental human rights.”
Others have warned that if the prosecution is found to have used financial inducements or threats to compel testimony, the entire case against the accused lawmakers could collapse.
“It’s not just about this one suspect. The credibility of the entire investigation and the use of state power is at stake,” said Tiawon Gongloe, a former presidential candidate and human rights lawyer.
The fire at the Capitol Building occurred in the early morning hours of December 18, 2024. Prosecutors allege that Nyanti and several co-conspirators — including individuals linked to Representative Dixon Seboe — conspired to burn the Joint Chambers to prevent legislative sessions. Court documents allege a complex conspiracy involving cash payments, transport logistics, and the distribution of gasoline purchased for the arson.
Prosecutors say Nyanti played a central role in coordinating the plan and acted as a middleman between the alleged perpetrators and lawmakers suspected of being behind the operation. He is also accused of receiving and distributing cash to co-conspirators and destroying SIM cards to cover up communication trails.
However, Nyanti now claims that his alleged confession was extracted under pressure and manipulation. He insists that many of the claims made against him and others are false, and that the government is using the court system to settle political scores.
Repeated efforts to reach officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police have yielded no comment. When contacted, LNP spokesperson Cecelia Clarke declined to speak on the matter, stating that she needed clearance from senior officials.
The silence has only fueled suspicions that the state is withholding critical information from the public, even as the case threatens to spiral into a political crisis. Opposition parties and rights groups have begun demanding a full and impartial probe, warning that failure to address the allegations could further erode public trust in the justice system.
Nyanti remains in custody at the Monrovia Central Prison, awaiting the commencement of his trial. Meanwhile, the court is expected to rule on several pretrial motions, including a request by Nyanti’s legal team for access to all communication records between prosecutors and his alleged handlers.