After Liberia former Speaker and four members of the House of Representatives spent a night to the Liberia National Police headquarters, June 6, 2025, to complete its investigation into the arson saga on the Capital Building, they were turned over the next day, June 7, 2025, to the Monrovia City Court and the court later sent to jail, four representatives.
The four Representatives sent to the Monrovia Central Prison include J. Fonati Koffa, Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara and Jacob Debe.
The lawmakers appeared to the court around 11: 45 am dressed in their official working clothes since they were invited for questioning on Friday.
The Stipendiary Magistrate of the Monrovia City Court, Ben Barco, ordered the clerk to detent the lawmakers to the Monrovia Central Prison after he informed the defendants (lawmakers ) that their Magisterial court has no jurisdiction over the case.
Prior to the Magistrate’s ruling, the prosecution lawyers argued that the dependents (lawmakers ) should be turned over to Criminal Court “A” that has jurisdiction over the case.
The defendants’ lawyers told the court that the defendants were in the dark and it was their first appearing in court. They argued that the court should grant them the motion consistent with law and also consistent with the construction law.
Defense lawyers added that in section 12. 2 of the criminal procedural law of the Republic of Liberia, that defendants’ case had already ended at the court, and have a separate trials and the charges are not the same.
Judge Barco, having listened to both arguments, said in open court, that he had reserved ruling on Monday.
However, Representative Pricilla Cooper was released into the custody of her lawyer and is expected to return today in court, June 9. But the four Representatives remained under the supervision of the court and were housed at the South Beach pending trial.