Liberia’s former Speaker of Parliament, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has been formally charged with arson and several related crimes following a devastating fire that gutted the nation’s House of Representatives in December 2024.
The fire broke out on December 18, just a day after massive protests erupted in Monrovia over plans to impeach Koffa. Tensions had been mounting for weeks, as a group of 47 lawmakers accused the then-speaker of poor governance, corruption, and conflicts of interest. Though the bid to oust him fell short of the required two-thirds majority, it triggered a political impasse that paralyzed legislative functions.
Authorities now allege that Koffa played a “strategic” role in orchestrating the fire, using his office and staff to coordinate sabotage efforts as early as November 2023. Liberia’s Police Chief Gregory Colman stated on Friday that Koffa has been charged with arson, criminal mischief, endangering public safety, and attempted murder. He is among several lawmakers implicated in the case, with five others also detained.
Among them is Representative Frank Saah Foko, who allegedly posted a provocative video on Facebook stating, “If they want us to burn the chambers, we will burn it.” Investigators have identified this as potential incitement.
The fire, which destroyed the joint chambers of Liberia’s legislature, was confirmed by a team of U.S. forensic investigators to have been deliberately set. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the building was empty at the time.
Local media reported that Koffa and three current lawmakers were remanded to Monrovia Central Prison following police questioning. FrontPage Africa confirmed their detention on Saturday.
Koffa had been in a protracted standoff with political rivals for months. Despite resigning from his role in May 2025, the controversy continues to roil Liberian politics, with questions about parliamentary legitimacy and governance lingering.
The investigation into the parliament blaze underscores the deepening political divide in Liberia, and many are now calling for institutional reforms to restore public trust in the country’s democratic institutions.
