A preliminary hearing has commenced at the Monrovia City Court to determine the strength of the case against four high-profile Liberian lawmakers accused of involvement in an arson attack on the National Legislature earlier this year. The hearing, which began Tuesday, comes just one day after the accused were granted release on a $440,000 bond. The accused include former Speaker of the House of Representatives Fonati Koffa, along with lawmakers Jacob Debe, Dixon Siebo, and Abu Kamara.
They are charged with multiple offenses, including arson, criminal mischief, and attempted murder, in connection with a fire that damaged parts of the Capitol Building in early 2024. Authorities say the blaze caused significant structural damage and disrupted parliamentary operations.
All four appeared in court with legal counsel, while the state was represented by Solicitor General Augustine Fayiah. The prosecution is expected to present preliminary evidence to determine whether the case should proceed to full trial.
The case has sparked national debate, with growing public interest in transparency and accountability as the judiciary weighs evidence against some of the country’s most prominent political figures.
