Gov’t Claims ‘Irrefutable Evidence’ To Prosecute Koffa, 4 Others In Capitol Fire Case

While the Monrovia City Court is expected to rule today, Friday, June 13, in the arson case, government is claiming being armed with ‘irrefutable evidence’ to prosecute the accused.

The case involves former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, and four other sitting lawmakers, accused of allegedly planning and executing burning of the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024.

Today’s ruling followed final legal arguments by lawyers representing the both parties.

Deputy Information Minister, Daniel Sando, told reporters that the government has ‘overwhelming and irrefutable evidence’ to prosecute the accused.

Sando said police conducted a preliminary investigation, based on which charges were drawn against the accused lawmakers.

He stated that the government does not rely on ‘social media’ posts alone to prosecute the accused lawmakers in connection with the Capitol Building fire case, as has been speculated.

Mr. Sando described such claims as “complete deception and falsehood.”

Meanwhile, the Monrovia City Court will today (Friday) rule in the arson case following the closed of final legal arguments on Thursday, June 12.

Defense lawyers are requesting the court to dismiss the charges, arguing that the evidence being used was taken from “phones not belonging to the defendants.”

They are claiming that admitting the ‘phones evidence’ “violates legal procedures under Chapter 11.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law.”

Former Associate Justice Wilkins Wrights, representing the defense, argued that the evidence is “irrelevant and inadmissible.”

He prayed the court to suppress the data and drop the case.

However, state prosecutor, Cllr. Richard Scott, opposed the Wrights’ motion, saying: “it was filed too late and the defense failed to challenge the evidence earlier.”

Scott argued that once evidence is admitted in court, it must be considered by the judge.

Presiding Magistrate L. Ben Barco  said, the court agrees that the “evidence had passed the admissibility test and cannot be reversed.”

He noted that the Supreme Court previously upheld the same ruling in an earlier phase of the case.

The court’s final decision today is expected to draw lots of debates from the public.