The Liberian government is under mounting criticism following the detention of several prominent lawmakers, with many accusing the administration of political revenge, authoritarian tendencies, and a miscarriage of justice.
Former President George Weah has publicly condemned the government’s handling of the situation, expressing his dismay at the detention of the lawmakers.
“Innocent people were jailed,” Weah stated after a visit to the court on Monday at his Congress for Democratic Change party headquarters. “This is wrong. This is wickedness at the core.”
Among those embroiled in the controversy is former House Speaker Fonati Koffa, who has fervently protested his innocence and that of his colleagues facing arson-related charges. After being released on bail, Koffa reiterated his belief that the allegations against him are politically motivated and constructed from falsehoods.
“Did you listen to the press conference of the Police Inspector General?” Koffa asked reporters. “He said this is a highly political case.” He criticized Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman for relying on what he termed “a basket of evidence of innuendos, lies, and misstatements” to justify the charges.
“As we proceed through the preliminary hearings, we will deconstruct those lies and present a defense worthy of the truth,” he added.
The police have indicated that there are “credible links” suggesting Koffa’s strategic involvement in the alleged incident, which also implicates three other detained lawmakers. The charges leveled against Koffa include arson, criminal mischief, endangering lives, and attempted murder.
The situation has drawn the ire of the Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP), which accused the Unity Party-led government of veering toward authoritarianism. In a press conference held on June 9 in Monrovia, the group condemned the recent detentions of Koffa and other lawmakers in connection with the December 2023 Capitol Building fire.
“Both incidents reflect a growing climate of political repression,” the party stated, calling for the immediate dismissal and prosecution of Inspector General Coleman for allegedly enabling state violence against political opponents. “This regime is dangerously slipping into dictatorial authoritarianism,” SUP Chairman Sylvester Wheeler warned, asserting that the government is using state security to intimidate dissenters.
The SUP described the investigation into the Capitol fire as a political smokescreen and questioned why certain members of the ruling majority bloc, allegedly involved in the fire, have not faced charges. They characterized Koffa’s arrest as a tactic to intimidate political opponents and criticized President Boakai for recognizing Richard Koon as Speaker of the House without following what they deemed a proper legislative process.
Wheeler also denounced President Boakai’s characterization of the Capitol fire as “hooliganism” prior to the completion of the investigation. Additionally, the party condemned a recent attack on Congress for Democratic Change Chairman Janga Kowo, labeling it as “vicious and inhumane.”
As part of their demands, the SUP is calling for an independent investigation into the Capitol fire and for justice for alleged victims of police brutality, including Kowo. They have warned of planned mass mobilizations to protest what they see as the government’s authoritarian drift.
Lawyer Cllr. Mariah Yeakula Korkpor criticized the politicization of the legal process, stating, “Using the law as a shield to go after people you have a bone to pick with is not justice; it’s tyranny.” She echoed concerns about the integrity of the legal proceedings surrounding the case.
Sinoe County Senator Cllr. Augustine Chea also expressed grave concerns about the fairness of the ongoing legal processes and challenged the timing and procedures concerning the detention of the lawmakers, raising questions about potential bias and violations of due process.
