Monrovia – Prominent opposition leaders have rallied their supporters to turn out en masse at the Temple of Justice in a show of solidarity with four members of the House of Representatives who are currently held in detention at the Monrovia Central Prison awaiting court trial.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The lawmakers including former Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Reps. Jacob Debee (District #3, Grand Gedeh County), Abu Bana Kamara (District 15, Montserrado County) and Dixon Wlawlee Seboe (District #16, Montserrado). These lawmakers, along with Rep. Priscilla Cooper (District #5, Montserrado County) were charged by the Liberia National Police with masterminding the Capitol building “arson attack”. However, Police released Rep. Cooper while her colleagues spent one night in detention at the police headquarters before being taken to the Monrovia Central Prison the next day on Saturday.
Rep. Cooper is said to have been granted a medication dispensation by Monrovia City Court George Ben Barco, but denied a similar request by Rep. Kamara who reportedly suffered high blood pressure. This led to outcry from the opposition, terming this as selective justice. The Police and the Court are yet to respond.
Today marks the four lawmakers three days in detention since they left their homes and voluntarily drove to the police headquarters for questioning.
Ahead of their anticipated court appearance today, Liberia’s leading opposition leaders have expressed concerns over what they describe as a politically motivated and “premeditated” move by the Liberian National Police to detain them, calling it a violation of due process and a threat to democratic norms.
In response, political leaders including former President George Weah, ex-Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, former presidential candidate Alexander Cummings, Rep. Musa Bility and Dee Maxwell Kemayah, have mobilized their partisans and sympathizers to peacefully assemble at the Temple of Justice today, calling for their immediate release and respect for the rule of law.
Weah: “This is not the rule of law”
Former President George M. Weah, in a radio broadcast that was live streamed on social media, described the detention as a calculated move to imprison the lawmakers without fair trial or due process.
“Tomorrow is the court’s day. I want to condemn the action of the government to detain our legislative leaders with the intention to send them to prison. This is not the rule of law. I believe this was premeditated… We are calling on all our partisans to turn out tomorrow. Let’s assemble at the court,” Weah said.
“These are the leaders of our country. You called them to question them, and you detained them with the intention to send them to prison. This is unfair. I believe this is wrong. We will be at the court tomorrow.”
He emphasized the importance of peaceful protest, urging all Liberians to join the demonstration in solidarity with the detained lawmakers. “We are calling on all our partisans to turn out tomorrow let assemble at the court. I am calling on all citizens, all partisans, well-wishers and sympathizers to come and let’s stand with our lawmakers.”
Cummings: “They are weaponizing the judiciary”
Alexander B. Cummings, political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), accused the government of weaponizing the judiciary to target political opponents.
“They are attempting to weaponize the judiciary. They are ignoring, in my mind, the presumption of innocence… This is very personal. I have been a victim. They use the judiciary against me, my own colleagues, and this is what they are doing,” he said, referring to his ordeal in 2022 when leaders of the defunct Collaborating Political Party (CPP) accused him of altering the framework document.
He also rallied supporters to assemble peacefully in support of Koffa and his colleagues. “This is about peaceful assembly. It is the right of Liberians to do it peacefully. No rioting, no vandalism… But I encourage my supporters to come and assemble peacefully. Not just my supporters but every Liberian. Our people will not engage in violence tomorrow. I call on the police to allow people to peacefully assemble. It is their right.”
Howard-Taylor: “Let the law take preeminence”
Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) added a more measured tone, calling for faith in the legal process and urging the judiciary to treat the detained lawmakers fairly.
“This is a bailable offence. I don’t think those lawmakers will run away… I pray that they will be given the chance to perfect their bonds. I think when the court process begins, the law will be the law,” she noted.
Madam Taylor and her former boss, former President Weah, visited Koffa and his colleagues at the Monrovia Central Prison. Speaking to reporters after spending an hour with them, she expressed sadness over their incarceration, but said the four men were in good condition and high spirits as they prepared to face court proceedings on today, Monday.
“Fonati Koffa is my brother, and we just came to say hello and encourage him,” she said. “He is someone who respects the rule of law, and we are hoping that the legal process takes its course.”
Bility: “The law must not be abused”
Representative Musa Hassan Bility, political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), warned against any attempt by the Ministry of Justice to increase bond amounts, calling it a misuse of legal authority.
“The power that the law has given to the Ministry of Justice should not be abused… We insist that our partisans come out and they must be peaceful,” Bility declared.
Bility Statement comes after a directive from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) placed a freeze on the issuance of court bonds by commercial banks and insurance companies without prior written clearance from its Insurance Department.
The measure, issued under Directive No. CBL/ID/DIR/0011/2025, mandates that any institution seeking to issue a court bond must first obtain formal approval from the Central Bank of Liberia’s Insurance Department. The directive requires insurers to submit notarized and certified audited financial statements, along with a comprehensive report of all outstanding bonds, before making any new requests. Although the directive was issued on May 16, 2025, critics argue that it is a subtle attempt by the government to tighten restrictions and make it more difficult for Speaker Koffa and his associates to secure bail. The CBL did not respond to FrontPage Africa’s inquiry when contacted.
Kemayah: “Justice will prevail”
Dee Maxwell Saah Kemayah, political leader of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) and former Foreign Minister of Liberia, praised the resolve of the detained lawmakers and affirmed his party’s commitment to joining the peaceful protest.
“Despite the humiliating and devastating condition, they are being subjected to, based on politics, I saw them courageous and in high spirit. MOVEE and its partisans… will be joining other political parties. I emphasize that they must assemble peacefully and avoid any semblance of chaos.”
Coleman: “This is not a political battle’
Meanwhile, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman has defended the police actions. On his Facebook page, Coleman said the charges brought forward are based on provisions of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia, including arson, criminal conspiracy, and related offenses, and not politically motivated.
“Let me be clear: this is not a political battle. This is a matter of justice. The law does not see colors or party lines, it sees facts, and it demands accountability,” he said.
He added: “To those circulating messages of unrest or calling for violence, be reminded that Liberia has paid a heavy price for peace. We will not allow fear, threats, or incitement to reverse our gains. The Liberia National Police remains vigilant, professional, and committed to protecting all citizens without bias or favor. We urge every Liberian regardless of affiliation to remain calm and respect the judicial process. We are stronger when we resolve our differences through dialogue, not destruction.”
As the political temperature rises, all eyes are on the Temple of Justice, where the next chapter of this unfolding drama is expected to play out. The opposition has vowed to maintain a peaceful posture, but concerns remain about potential confrontations as crowds gather in central Monrovia.
FrontPage Africa will continue to monitor developments throughout the day.
