The Monrovia City Court has upheld the criminal appearance bond filed by former House Speaker Fonati Koffa and several co-defendants, rejecting claims by Solicitor General Augustine Fayiah that the bond was “bogus” and void of legal merit.
The court’s decision, delivered by Judge Ben Barco on Thursday June 26, 2025, confirmed that the bond complied with the legal requirements set forth in Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law
“The court finds that the bond is legally sufficient,” Judge Barco stated, denying the prosecution’s motion to nullify it.
The case centers around serious allegations against Koffa and others, who stand accused of participating in an arson attack on the Capitol Building—an incident that has sparked widespread public interest and heightened political tensions in Liberia.
Solicitor General Fayiah previously challenged the bond, stating it was inadequate and asserting that the sureties did not exist, leading to calls for the apprehension of the defendants.
However, defense witness Joanna Janet Koffa, daughter of co-defendant Fonati Koffa and General Manager at United Commodities Incorporated, testified under oath to validate the bond’s legitimacy.
She presented original legal documents including a deed for a property in Todee District, Lower Montserrado County, valued at $440,000, asserting that it is fully owned by her and her sister, Marjan Mona Koffa.
Under scrutiny, Joanna Koffa dismissed the prosecution’s categorization of the bond as “worthless,” asserting the financial credibility of the sureties involved. Her testimony helped solidify the defense’s position against the prosecution’s assertions.
The court’s ruling allows Koffa and his co-defendants to remain free while awaiting trial, despite the serious charges against them. In response to the allegations, Koffa has consistently denied wrongdoing, suggesting the case is driven by political motives.
