Declared POI, Speaker Koffa Maintains Innocence -Wants Int’l Partners Involvement for Fair Investigation

MONROVIA –  As the nation waits in heightened anticipation for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to deliver his second Annual Message to the National Legislature on Monday, January 28, 2025, embattled House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, who is now declared a Person of Interest (POI) by the Liberia National Police (LNP) in relation to the burning to the Capitol Building, says he is innocent and has always cooperated with the police, but wants government to seek assistance from international partners to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.

In a cryptically short social post issued yesterday Thursday, Speaker Koffa reminded the Police that he remains innocent of any involvement in the Capitol Hill fire and has always cooperated and ensured the cooperation of all persons under his employ.

“I understand that by a communication to the House of Representatives majority block, the Liberia National Police has invited me and others to assist in the investigation of the fire incident.

“Since the unfortunate occurrence of this event, I have consistently cooperated and ensured the cooperation of all persons under my employ.

“I must reiterate that I am and remain absolutely innocent of any involvement in this event.

“I again encourage the authorities to seek international partners’ assistance to ensure a fair and impartial investigation,” Cllr. Koffa said.

Koffa’s statement comes in the wake of the LNP formally writing to the House of Representatives to inform the honorable body that seven legislators of the Lower House have been identified as persons of interest in the ongoing Capitol Building fire investigation.

The LNP communication to the House requested the appearance of Speaker Fonati Koffa, Dixon Seboe, Marvin Cole, Frank Foko, Precilla Cooper, Abu Kamara, and Jacob C. Debee – all of the minority bloc.

“Given the sensitive nature of this investigation and the need for transparent proceedings, we would like to inform you that we have identified members of your House as persons of interest in this ongoing investigation and will be calling them for questioning,” the police said, noting that the force will conduct its investigation professionally while respecting the rights of all individuals involved.

Rule of Law Caucus to Boycott SONA

Meanwhile, the former Minority Bloc which recently morphed into the Rule of Law Legislative Caucus will not be attending President Boakai’s State of the Nation address on Monday.

In a press statement issued last Tuesday, the Caucus stated clearly: “The Executive’s recognition of Honorable Richard N. Koon as Speaker, despite the legitimate Speaker still being in office, is a blatant violation of democratic principles and legislative autonomy. Attending the SONA under such circumstances would amount to tacit approval of this illegitimacy—a position we categorically reject.” “We will resist, in the court of law, any attempt to fabricate evidence against our colleagues as a means to quell our resistance to the erosion of the rule of law,” the statement continue