MONROVIA – Seven co-defendants charged in connection with the alleged arson of the Capitol Building in Montserrado County have filed a motion before the First Judicial Circuit Court requesting an independent medical examination, citing severe physical abuse while in government custody.
The motion, submitted by the defendants through their legal counsel from the International Law Group, LLC, alleges that they were tortured by agents of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) at the NSA headquarters. The co-defendants, including Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac, Thomas Etheridge, and Stephen Broh, report ongoing medical issues including painful urination, blood in their urine, blurred vision, and other symptoms they attribute to prolonged physical abuse.
In their petition to the court, the defendants stated that the government-owned John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital cannot be considered independent due to its affiliation with the Ministry of Justice and an existing memorandum of understanding to treat pretrial detainees. They argue that this relationship creates a conflict of interest, making it impossible for the hospital to provide impartial medical care.
The motion emphasizes that the defendants’ conditions, which they describe as resulting from beatings, waterboarding, and exposure to bright lights, could worsen without timely, independent medical intervention. The legal filing further asserts that the co-defendants do not have confidence in government agencies to conduct a proper examination due to the alleged human rights violations committed against them.
Through their counsel, the defendants are requesting the court to grant immediate access to a team of independent medical practitioners to assess and treat their injuries. They argue that their current health conditions render them unfit for continued pretrial detention and urge the court to consider humanitarian and legal principles in granting the motion.
The defendants face multiple charges, including arson, criminal mischief, conspiracy, criminal solicitation, intent to commit murder, aggravated assault, illegal possession of firearms, reckless endangerment, and theft of property. The case is currently pending before Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie in the August term of 2025.
The motion for an independent medical examination highlights concerns about detainee treatment in Liberia and could have broader implications for pretrial rights and the conduct of state security agencies. The court has yet to issue a ruling on the defendants’ request.
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