Koffa, 14 Others Plead Not Guilty

Criminal Court “A” opened a pivotal chapter on Monday, November 17, 2025, as former House Speaker Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa and 14 co-defendants stood to answer indictments linking them to the alleged arson attack on the Capitol Building earlier this year.

In a brief but charged proceeding, all 15 defendants entered not-guilty pleas after the court formally read the indictment of the allegations.

Prosecutors assert the group played a coordinated role in the incident, a claim the defense swiftly dismissed as unfounded and politically motivated.

Before the indictment was read, defense lawyers requested a jury trial. An option Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie granted, scheduling the start of jury selection for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

The decision came amid a flurry of pretrial motions from state prosecutors, who vowed to present what they described as a strong evidentiary case.

Montserrado County District number fifteen Representative Abu Kamara, one of the defendants, denounced the prosecution’s case as “total nonsense,” insisting he had no role in any wrongdoing.

Responding to questions about the indictment’s claims, Kamara maintained he was neither present at the scene nor involved in any activity resembling what the state alleges.

“This indictment is just a repeated thing. The law will prevail.” Kamara said arguing that political undertones not evidence were driving the accusations.

Cllr. Koffa, surrounded by supporters and members of his legal team, echoed the sentiment.

He characterized the case as more connected to unrest surrounding the “December 17 riot” than to the Capitol fire it, saying the indictment failed to articulate any specific actions by lawmakers.

“The most interesting thing about the indictment is that it contains a letter from Kivi Bah to Dixon Seboe proposition to admit, but very little about the actual fire. Prosecution has no case because they have no case to make. It is based on politics. Koffa told reporters.

Confident in his defense, I am hopeful for walking out with a not-guilty verdict,” he added.

The defendants are Koffa, Kamara, Montserrado County District number sixteen Representative Dixon Seboe, and Grand Gedeh County District number three Representative Jacob C. Debee, Kivi Bah, Jerry Pokah, Stephen M. Broh, John Nyanti, Patience Bestman, Harrilyn Grace Johnson, Christian Kofa, Amos Kofa, Eric Susay, and Thomas Isaac Etheridge.

The defendants face multiple charges, including: Arson, Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Facilitation, Criminal Solicitation, Release of Destructive Forces Reckless Burning or Exploding and Recklessly Endangering another Person.

According to the indictment, the defendants are accused of Arson classified as a second-degree felony and additional misdemeanors of the first degree

As the matter moves into jury selection, both sides will begin the process of shaping the jury that will ultimately decide one of the most closely watched criminal cases with current lawmakers of the House of Representative.