Home » Koffa Slams Arson Case As “mockery Of Justice” After First Day Of Court Hearing

Koffa Slams Arson Case As “mockery Of Justice” After First Day Of Court Hearing

MONROVIA – Former Speaker of the House Fonati Koffa and Representative Jacob Debee, both charged in connection with the December 2024 Capitol Building arson, expressed strong disapproval of the proceedings as they left the Monrovia City Court on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, following the first day of the preliminary hearing.

Speaking briefly to journalists outside the courtroom, Koffa appeared visibly frustrated, calling the case a “mockery of justice” and suggesting the charges against him were politically motivated. “We understand where the case is. When there’s nothing there, they try to develop something from a mindset: ‘I gotta be Koffa, so anything Koffa says will be that,’” he said, appearing to criticize what he sees as a biased process. Asked whether Liberia’s Police Inspector General had contacted him with an apology, Koffa dismissed the suggestion outright. “Tell him not to call me. I don’t see no reason for any police IG to call me,” he remarked.

Rep. Jacob Debee, also charged in the case, echoed similar sentiments, calling the proceedings a waste of time. “This government is just wasting our time,” he said. “You can’t bring a police officer to testify that I was sitting in a car, overheard a conversation, and didn’t report it, and that’s why I’m charged? It’s ridiculous.” Debee ridiculed the testimony given by one of the police witnesses, accusing him of lacking credibility. “The officer testified while going to the bathroom seven times. Lies. All lies.”

 

Inside the courtroom, the prosecution continued its presentation of evidence. Chief Inspector Peter Johnson of the Liberia National Police took the stand, stating that charges against Koffa were partly based on a Facebook post containing the phrase “ALarmo,” which investigators interpreted as incitement. Johnson also introduced audio recordings in which he claimed Koffa acknowledged that it was his voice captured in a conversation outlining plans to attack the Capitol. Koffa, however, denied ever participating in the conversation, despite admitting the voice resembled his.

The authenticity of the audio was called into question by several lawmakers, who suggested that artificial intelligence could have been used to fabricate the recording.

Chief Inspector Johnson further alleged that Koffa financed the arson operation, while a man identified only as “Dixon” was reportedly assigned to execute the plan with others.

The preliminary hearing has placed Liberia’s justice system under intense public scrutiny, with growing debate over the use of digital evidence, political interference, and the credibility of law enforcement testimony. As the proceedings continue, the court remains the center of national attention.