MONROVIA – Four opposition political parties in Liberia have issued a joint statement calling for the immediate appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate what they describe as widespread police misconduct, witness tampering, and politically motivated abuses linked to the ongoing investigation into the Capitol Building arson case.
In a press release dated June 23, 2025, and signed by prominent opposition figures including Atty. Janga A. Kowo of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Cllr. Lafayette O. Gould of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Mr. James Yougie of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), and Mr. Prince G. Mehn of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), the parties expressed grave concern over the conduct of security agencies involved in the Capitol fire investigation.
While affirming their support for the prosecution of anyone genuinely involved in the arson attack, the parties cautioned against what they view as an alarming pattern of coercion, fabrication, and selective justice. They argued that these practices threaten not only the rights of accused individuals but also the constitutional foundations of the Liberian state.
The statement cited several alarming cases of alleged abuse by security institutions. Among them is Thomas Etheridge, who claims he was tortured at the National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters after refusing to sign a pre-written statement implicating former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Similarly, Andrew Lawson and Albert Weah reported being held by the NSA for eight days, tortured, and pressured to falsely accuse Koffa. Lawson, who reportedly fled the country, is said to have been interviewed abroad as a victim of torture.
Another key figure, John Nyanti, alleges that he was held for eleven days, far exceeding the 48-hour legal limit, after being lured back to Liberia under the pretext of a family arrangement. During his detention at a luxury hotel near Monrovia, he claims government agents, including senior police officials and an ambassador, attempted to bribe him with sums ranging from US$50,000 to US$200,000 in exchange for false testimony. Nyanti, who rejected the offer, was later charged and brought before the court.
The statement also draws attention to the cases of Baccus Karpeh, Patrick Hallie, and Gabriel Fansieh, who were allegedly arrested and detained solely due to their proximity to District 16 and association with Representative Dixon Seboe. The whereabouts of Christian Koffa, arrested under the same writ, remain unknown. His family believes he has been secretly detained and is being pressured to give false statements.
The parties argue that these instances constitute clear violations of Sections 12.40 and 12.41 of the Penal Code, which prohibit witness tampering, bribery, and obstruction of justice. They also criticized what they described as politically motivated disparities in how lawmakers were treated during the investigation. Four opposition lawmakers were detained, while a lawmaker affiliated with the ruling Rescue Alliance was released on recognizance, despite being charged under the same writ.
The joint statement further questions the credibility of the police investigation, pointing out inconsistencies and unanswered questions surrounding the Capitol fire. These include the removal of chairs, severing of electrical wires, and the suspicious presence of individuals in the building prior to the incident. The parties also challenged Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman’s assertion that the fire could not have been electrical, calling the statement “patently false.”
Given the gravity of the allegations, the opposition leaders insist that the Liberia National Police and Ministry of Justice are unfit to investigate themselves. They called on President Joseph Boakai to appoint an independent Special Prosecutor empowered with full authority to investigate, indict, and prosecute any officials found guilty of misconduct.
“Our Constitution is under threat,” the statement concludes. “Tampering with evidence or coercing witnesses is a path from our immediate past that must not be allowed to resurface. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done fairly, impartially, and without political interference.”
