Liberia’s former Speaker of Parliament, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has been detained and formally charged in connection with a fire at the House of Representatives last December.
The blaze erupted during a protest by Koffa’s supporters in Monrovia, amid an escalating political standoff that fractured the chamber’s leadership.
Koffa had faced mounting pressure since October, when a majority of lawmakers voted for his impeachment over alleged corruption and conflicts of interest.
Although the attempt failed to meet the required two-thirds majority, the deadlock deepened, culminating in Koffa’s resignation on May 12.
The crisis peaked when a breakaway coalition of legislators elected a rival Speaker, intensifying divisions within Liberia’s legislature.
A team of U.S. investigators later concluded that the fire had been deliberately set, prompting a full criminal inquiry.
On Friday, Police Chief Gregory Colman revealed that Koffa was “strategically involved” in disrupting legislative functions and damaging state property.
He now faces multiple charges, including arson, criminal mischief, attempted murder, and endangering lives.
Colman alleged that Koffa used his official position and staff “to coordinate sabotage efforts” dating back to November 2023.
Five other lawmakers have also been detained in connection with the incident, as authorities widen the scope of the investigation.
The case marks a dramatic turn in Liberia’s unfolding political crisis, with the fire now a potent symbol of institutional breakdown.