*In a significant turn of events, Liberia's former parliament speaker, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has been charged with arson related to a devastating fire at the nation's Capitol that occurred last December, coinciding with his ongoing political strife.*
**Liberia’s Former Speaker Faces Arson Charges Post Capitol Blaze**
**Liberia’s Former Speaker Faces Arson Charges Post Capitol Blaze**
*Jonathan Fonati Koffa is accused of orchestrating the December fire at the House of Representatives amid a political crisis.*
Liberia's former speaker of parliament, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has been officially charged with arson in connection with a catastrophic fire that engulfed the House of Representatives in December 2024. According to local law enforcement, the fire erupted just a day after heated protests broke out in Monrovia over plans to impeach Koffa, who faced accusations of corruption, poor governance, and conflicts of interest.
Police have indicated they have found "credible links" establishing Koffa's strategic involvement in the incident, which led to the destruction of the legislature's joint chambers at a time when no personnel were inside. Additionally, five other lawmakers have been detained as part of the ongoing investigation. Koffa has previously refuted any involvement with the fire.
Liberian National Police Chief Gregory Colman reported that Koffa is facing multiple charges, including arson, criminal mischief, and even attempted murder. Investigators claim that Koffa utilized both his office and staff to coordinate sabotage efforts as early as November 2023.
On Friday, Koffa and several other implicated lawmakers were summoned to the police headquarters as "persons of interest," after which they were remanded to Monrovia Central Prison. The push for Koffa's impeachment fell short in October when the necessary two-thirds majority was not achieved, which prompted a faction of lawmakers to appoint an alternative speaker without official consent.
The tense atmosphere surrounding these events escalated into protests, leading to the arrest of political figures, including an aide to former President George Weah. The investigation into the fire was bolstered by a team of independent U.S. investigators, who concluded that it was deliberately set.
Koffa's resignation as speaker followed months of political turmoil and power struggles within Liberia's House of Representatives. Despite the impeachment attempt failing, the political landscape remains highly volatile as lawmakers grapple with the ongoing challenges of governance and public trust.
