By Precious D. Freeman
The Temple of Justice was the scene of high drama as the preliminary hearing in the arson case got underway, implicating Rep. Fonati Koffa and four current lawmakers in an alleged plot to set the Capitol Building ablaze.
The hearing commenced with gripping testimony from the Chief Investigator of the Liberia National Police, Peter Johnson, as prosecution’s first and primary witness.
Johnson alleged that the investigation was triggered by statements from co-defendant Thomas Etheridge, who claimed that Koffa provided US$1,000 to recruit individuals for the attack on the Capitol.
In his testimony, Johnson detailed a web of coordination and financial backing allegedly involving Representatives Abu Bana Kamara, Dixon Seboe, Jacob Debee, and Prescillia Cooper.
According to the chief investigator, Seboe operated as the Chief Financial Officer of a shadowy “commission” and orchestrated the escape of two alleged arsonists John Nyantie and Amos Koffa through the Logatuo border.
A central element of the state’s case is a controversial audio recording purportedly capturing Koffa discussing the plot.
Johnson testified that Koffa acknowledged the voice in the recording as his during police interrogation.
However, Koffa has since denied any involvement, telling the court he never engaged in the conversation heard on the tape.
In a surprising development, several lawmakers allied with the defense claim the audio was artificially generated using AI technology, challenging its authenticity and raising concerns over potential misuse of deep fake tools in legal settings.
Adding to the intrigue, Johnson pointed to a Facebook post by Koffa using the word “Alamo”—a reference investigators interpreted as coded language inciting violence.
Johnson testified that authorities saw this as a digital breadcrumb signaling intent.
The case’s reach widened as Johnson testified that Representative Debee was present during a key planning conversation held in a vehicle, and that Kamara served as the mission’s principal financier.
Following the hearing, Koffa addressed a crowd of journalists outside the courthouse, forcefully asserting his innocence.
“There is no substantive evidence against me, only misinterpretations of my social media posts. This is all based on hearsay,” he said.
Representatives Kamara and Debee echoed Koffa’s position, labeling the proceedings as a politically motivated witch hunt and a misuse of judicial resources.
While Koffa, Kamara, Debee, and Seboe all appeared for the hearing, Rep. Cooper waived her right to preliminary proceedings, with her legal team stating they are prepared to contest the charges head-on at trial.
As the courtroom proceedings continue, the atmosphere remained charged with the first witness still on the cross.
