Monrovia — The investigation into the devastating fire that destroyed the Capitol Building in December 2024 has taken a troubling turn, with accusations emerging that confessions from suspects were coerced under duress.
By Willie Tokpah, [email protected]
What initially seemed to be a straightforward case of arson is now engulfed in claims of torture and growing concerns about the involvement of prominent political figures.
One of the accused, Jerry Pokah, has alleged that his confession was extracted through torture. In a recorded statement, Pokah claims that security forces pressured him to implicate others, including influential political figures such as Representative Dixon W. Seboe of Monsterrado County, a key member of the opposition Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC).
This explosive testimony has ignited a fierce public debate: Were the confessions coerced, or are they legitimate? If the confessions were indeed forced, what does this mean for the credibility of the investigation and the pursuit of justice in Liberia?
The Capitol fire, which ravaged key areas of the Joint Chamber, the fourth floor, and the dome of the Representative Wing, continues to dominate national discourse. Vital government documents, office equipment, and infrastructure were lost, resulting in damages exceeding $8 million. While the physical destruction is evident, the investigation has raised suspicions that could destabilize the country’s already fragile political landscape.
A Conspiracy Unfolds
As the investigation progresses, authorities have uncovered signs of a coordinated effort behind the fire.
Several individuals, including Kivi Bah (alias Kaba), Jerry Pokah (alias Tyrese), and Thomas Isaac Etheridge, have been charged with conspiracy, arson, and reckless endangerment. However, it is the alleged links to political figures that have raised the most alarming questions.
Reports suggest that the attack was meticulously planned. In the days leading up to the fire, Pokah, Bah, and others are said to have coordinated with John Nyanti — who remains at large — to arrange funds and organize the gasoline used to fuel the blaze.
Now, a new name has entered the investigation: Representative Dixon W. Seboe. Once a respected figure in Liberia’s political sphere, Seboe’s name has surfaced in connection with the attack, casting a shadow over his integrity.
Seboe’s Alleged Role in the Plot
Bah’s testimony has thrust Seboe into the heart of the investigation. According to Bah, on December 10, 2024, he and Pokah met with Seboe, who allegedly gave them $100 for food and transportation. Initially, this may have appeared to be a routine encounter, but it has since become a critical moment in the probe.
Bah claims he overheard a phone conversation between Seboe and Nyanti, where Nyanti reportedly requested financial support for the operation, and Seboe allegedly agreed to provide it.
ARSON attacks on the Capitol Building which occurred on December 10 & 18, 2024 respectively in that on December 24, 2024, he wrote a letter addressed to Representative Dixon W. Seboe informing him that he (Bah) wanted to go back to his Country, because the first time he put fire on the building, John never gave anything as such, he needed money from Representative Dixon W. Sebo. Similarly, on January 3, 2025, he again wrote another letter addressed to Representative Dixon W. Seboe asking him to please help him move from Liberia to Sierra Leone so people eyes could move from on him. In the same letter, he stated that ERU, PSU and other government staff looking for people who put fire on the building and that he (Representative Seboe) knows was one John Nyanti called to go on the mission.
Liberia National Police charge sheet
While Seboe has not been formally charged, the nature of these claims has raised serious questions: Was Seboe an unwitting participant, or did he play a more active role in orchestrating the fire?
The situation has grown even more complex. Bah is said to have written several letters to Seboe, expressing frustration over unpaid compensation and mounting pressure from authorities.
In one letter from December 2024, Bah reportedly begged Seboe for help in fleeing Liberia to avoid imminent arrest. By January 2025, Bah allegedly asked Seboe for assistance in relocating to Sierra Leone. These letters suggest that Seboe may have known about Nyanti’s involvement, further complicating the investigation.
The Allegations of Coercion: A Dark Cloud Over the Investigation
The accusations of forced confessions have cast a dark cloud over the investigation. Human rights groups and civil society organizations have called for an independent inquiry into the conduct of Liberia’s security forces. They warn that the integrity of the investigation could be severely compromised if confessions were extracted under torture or intimidation.
If these allegations are confirmed, the entire investigation may be undermined, raising questions about the fairness of the legal process.
Critics argue that the pursuit of justice must never come at the cost of human rights, and that any findings based on coerced confessions should be met with skepticism.
The Political Stakes: A Nation at a Crossroads
For many Liberians, the pressing question extends beyond the fire itself to the broader political implications for the country’s democracy. How deep does political manipulation extend within Liberia’s corridors of power? The ongoing investigation into the Capitol fire could have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s political future.
As the investigation continues, leaders of the country face a pivotal challenge: Will they ensure that justice is served, or will political pressures obscure the truth? The outcome of this investigation could determine not only the fate of those accused but also the future of Liberia’s fragile democracy.