By Princess Korsseba
Monrovia, Liberia: The Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice has granted a property value bond of US$ 440,000.00 dollars, filed by former House Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa and likes in connection with the Capitol Building fire incident.
The property value bond was filed on Monday, June 9, 2025, on behalf of the defendant using one of Koff’s houses, opposite former president George Weah in Rehab, to secure their release from prison.
According to Magistrate Ben Barco, the defendant is faced with multiple offenses including arson, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, endangering another person, criminal attempt to commit murder, and criminal recklessly endangering another person.
The Former Speaker, along with three others, was arrested on Friday June 6, 2025 following a writ of arrest from the Monrovia City Court, after the final investigation with the Liberia National Police.
Four of the five lawmakers implicated in the December 2024 Capitol Building fire saga, were remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison, while Representative Priscilla Cooper has been temporarily released into the custody of her legal counsel to return on Tuesday, June 20, 2025.
This development follows a statement by Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman on State radio, confirming that Cooper was granted leave due to ongoing renovations at the prison facility.
The fire, which caused significant damage to the Capitol Building, was officially confirmed as an act of arson by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) in January, this year.
Investigations revealed that multiple points of ignition and the use of accelerants indicated deliberate criminal actions .
The previously detained lawmakers include, former Speaker Fonati Koffa, Representatives Dixon Seboe, Jacob Debee, and Abu Kamara.
Cooper, along with Frank Saah Foko, were summoned as persons of interest during the investigation.
While the temporary release of Representative Cooper has raised questions, authorities have emphasized that the decision was based on logistical considerations related to the prison’s renovation process.
The investigation into the Capitol fire continues, with calls for transparency and accountability from various stakeholders.
