- CDC Vows to Confront “Tyrannical Government” Over Potential Arrests of Lawmakers
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) warns the government of President Joseph Boakai, labeling it a “tyrannical government” and promising to take a stand against any attempts to arrest its members.
This declaration follows reports of impending arrests of several CDC lawmakers allegedly linked to the devastating fire that ravaged Liberia’s Capitol Building on December 18, 2024.
During a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Congo Town, CDC Chairman Janga Kowo condemned the government’s actions, claiming it is using state security as a tool for political suppression.
Kowo described the government’s alleged campaign of political persecution as unacceptable, asserting that any attempt to detain CDC-affiliated lawmakers would elicit a collective response from the party.
“The government must reconsider its actions. Arrest one of us, and you will have to arrest us all,” he warned, underscoring the seriousness with which the CDC views the situation.
The press conference comes in the wake of significant public outcry over the Capitol building fire, which damaged critical areas including the Joint Chamber and parts of the fourth floor, with estimated damages at $8.6 million.
Preliminary Hearing Commerces
The Monrovia City Court, under the guidance of Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco, has commenced preliminary hearings in the high-profile arson case involving the destruction of the Capitol building.
The prosecution’s first witness, Rafell A. Wilson, provided critical testimony linking the Capitol’s burning to a phone conversation involving defendant Thomas Etheridge. This preliminary hearing follows a defense motion for a preliminary examination of the defendants, as stipulated by Chapter 12 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
Defendants are represented by attorneys Jonathan Massaquor, M. Wilkins Wright, and Cllr Elisha Forkeyoh, while the state is represented by a full team of prosecutors and legal counselors. Wilson identified a white JAC pickup truck with license plate HOR-98 as one of the vehicles associated with the embattled Speaker Jonathan Koffa.
During his testimony, Wilson recounted the events of the protest on December 17, 2024, which escalated into a riot. He stated that co-defendant Eric Sasay, alongside an accomplice, assaulted PSU officer Amara Bility and confiscated his weapon. Notably, defendant Thomas Etheridge was not present during this incident. Later that day, Sasay contacted Thomas to inform him that they had “taken care of” the officer. When Thomas inquired about the officer’s location, Sasay replied that they had left him lying in the street at Jallah Town.
Wilson further elaborated that all the defendants are employees of the Capitol building, except for John Nyanti, who serves as a correctional officer with the Ministry of Justice. He noted that the Liberia National Police had identified 65 individuals as persons of interest in the case, but Thomas was released into the custody of Cllr Jonathan Massaquor.
Concluding his testimony, Wilson stated, “On December 18, 2024, defendant Etheridge’s criminal complicity was unknown. However, during the investigation, a link was established, prompting us to contact his lawyer to bring him back to answer for his involvement in the arson attack at the Capitol.”
