By E.J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has voiced his concerns over the recent arrest and prosecution of former House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, along with representatives Dixon Seboe, Jacob Debee, and Abu Kamara.
He argues that these developments reflect a disturbing chapter from Liberia’s past.
Konneh asserts that the events of the past few days reveal a harsh reality: in the current justice system, the outcomes for defendants and their freedom before trial are often dictated not by their guilt or innocence, but by their political affiliations.
In this instance, he claims, it was not the established legal bail system that influenced the former Speaker’s and his co-defendants’ release, but rather significant political pressure.
“For those who lived through Monrovia in the ’80s, the Monrovia Central Prison and the Supreme Court evoke memories of justice deeply entwined with political strife,” Konneh said.
“Back then, crowds gathered to support individuals imprisoned by a military regime. The sight of law enforcement officers, armed with machine guns, escorting Koffa and his colleagues to jail triggered memories of other historical figures, such as Weh-Sehn and Nelson Toe, being led away by soldiers with M-16 rifles.
The celebrations upon the prisoners’ release, with raised fists and chants reminiscent of South African anti-Apartheid slogans, highlighted how little we seem to have learned from our tumultuous history. It feels as though everything remains politicized.”
Konneh emphasized the urgent need for both the judiciary and executive branches to implement effective measures for managing cases where there are legitimate concerns about defendants fleeing the jurisdiction.
He pointed out that the bail system, which typically hinges on financial guarantees, and the NE EXEAT REPUBLICA—a legal writ meant to prevent individuals from leaving the court’s jurisdiction—should be scrutinized within the context of the government’s case against Koffa and his co-defendants.
He questioned whether the court had adequately upheld these mechanisms for justice.
“We all seek accountability for the burning of the Capitol—an assault on our democratic foundations. I initiated a letter that sparked a public hearing in the Senate last week, calling for accountability.
However, justice must be delivered equitably, free from favoritism and political targeting.
Reflecting on the volatile ’80s, I am filled with unease, the notion that true justice, unmarred by political influence, cannot be dormant in our nation indefinitely. The court’s role in this politicization is troubling.”
Article 66 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution asserts the principle of presumption of innocence, stating, “Everyone shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty before the Court in accordance with the applicable law.” Additionally, it guarantees the right to bail for all accused individuals, except in cases involving capital offenses or exceptionally grave crimes, while explicitly prohibiting excessive bail.
Senator Konneh said now may be an opportune moment for the Legislature to revisit the Constitution to strengthen protections for accused individuals and reaffirm an unwavering commitment to the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
