The trial of former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and 13 co-defendants, accused of arson, attempted murder, conspiracy, etc., has been delayed multiple times due to factors such as a disbanded jury, intervention by the Supreme Court, and allegations of torture by authorities. Despite the torture allegations, Magistrate Ben Barco found that the evidence was sufficient to send the case to trial, citing the presence of a special grand jury. However, the perpetual delay adds to the controversy surrounding the political motivations behind the case, with charges against the defendants often regarded as politically driven.
More than 17 months after a fire devastated Liberia 's Capitol Building, a criminal trial of former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and 13 co-defendants remains stalled, this time by a Supreme Court order issued by Associate Justice Yussif D. Kaba suspending all proceedings in Criminal Court 'A'.
Defense attorneys accused Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of exceeding his judicial authority during jury selection, leading to the stay. This development brings the number of times the Supreme Court has intervened to twice, as it previously halted the trial in September 2025 after a motion to suppress evidence was denied
Africa West Africa Liberia Politics Laws Supreme Court Jonathan Fonati Koffa Criminal Trial Arson Attempted Murder Conspiracy Torture Evidence Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie Aggravated Assault Battery Inhabit Iraq
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