Drama ensued on Tuesday, June 10, in the Monrovia City Court’s open room when police first witness asked for excuse several times from the presiding to ‘use the bathroom’ (attend to nature calls) before his testimony.
Inspector Peter Johnson was brought in court to testify against former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, and four of his colleagues, but asked the court at least five time to use the bathroom during testimony.
Police have implicated the lawmakers in the December 18, 2024, arson attacked on the Capitol Building.
Meanwhile, the Monrovia City Court began preliminary hearings into the case involving some lawmakers.
The accused are charged by the Liberia National Police (LNP) in connection with the arson on the Capitol Building.
Tuesday’s hearing is aimed at determining the strength and gravity of the evidence presented by the prosecution.
This means, if the judge finds the evidence compelling, the case may be transferred to criminal court ‘A’ for full trial.
Four lawmakers appeared in court and where represented by Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoe and former Associate Justice Watkins Wright, while the prosecution was led by Solicitor General Augustine C. Fayiah, County Attorney Richard Scott, Cllr. and Bobby Livingston.
Taking the witness stand as prosecution first witness, the LNP criminal investigator, Inspector Peter Johnson, link the four defendants to separate roles to the commission of the crimes as charged by the LNP.
According to Insp. Johnson, Representative Fonati Koffa was charged by the LNP as a major financier in the arson plot, while Representative Dixon Siebo was labeled as the architect of the plan. Johnson claimed Siebo helped facilitate the escape of two individuals linked to the attack.
He further testified that Representative Jacob Debee was charged for criminal facilitation, stating: “As a Liberian lawmaker, he was in the know of the entire plot of his colleagues, and he chose to keep quiet until the accident occurred, reasons for his charge,” Johnson said.
He also claimed that Representative Abu Kamara’s vehicles were used to orchestrate the plan.
Insp. Johnson added that Rep. Koffa was also charged in relation to a social media post he made with the caption: “ALARMO,” which was deleted shortly before the capitol attack.
As part of the audio evidence, Johnson stated that Rep. Koffa acknowledged during investigation that the voice in the recording was his voice, but denied ever participating in the conversation, which allegedly detailed plans to set a portion of the Capitol Building ablaze.
While Rep. Kamara and the others said the audio was Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated.
Johnson reiterated that Koffa was allegedly the primary financier of the entire plot, with Dixon Siebo designated to execute the plan alongside other individuals.
Meanwhile, Montserrado County District #5 Representative Priscilla Cooper, also charged by the LNP, through a lawyer is expected to request a separate and severance trial from the four other accused lawmakers.
She also waived her rights to the preliminary examinations, meaning they will now go for full trial.
As the court adjourned the first day of hearing, some lawmakers expressed frustration with the proceedings.
According to reports, Rep. Koffa and his colleagues criticized the first day of hearing as a “waste of time,” citing delays such as the lead witness was just requesting to use the bathroom more than several times during testimony.
Interestingly, as Koffa was getting in his vehicle, one of the reporters asked him that there was this report that the Inspector General of Police, Gregory Coleman, has called him asking him to apologize and he responded: “I didn’t receive and call from the police,” but confirmed telling the Police IG never to call him.”
The matter resumes today with further cross-examination of witness by the defense lawyers.
This report was compiled in collaboration with judicial reporter Melvin Jackson