– Chairman of House’s Rule of Law Caucus Warns
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The Rule of Law Caucus, led by Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Bility, has raised alarms about threats to Liberia’s peace and democratic progress. “We will not tolerate the creation of a police state. The Liberian people must stand united against these actions and demand accountability,” Bility stated.
This warning follows the detention of Gibson Toe and Thomas Etheridge, staffers of House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, by the Liberia National Police (LNP) in connection with the burning of the Capitol Building.
In a press statement over the weekend, Bility criticized the government’s actions, including arbitrary arrests and allegations of torture linked to the Capitol fire. He described these developments as a troubling shift towards authoritarianism.
Representative Bility condemned the arrests, noting they occurred without proper charges or transparency. He called these actions blatant attempts to intimidate lawmakers and stifle dissent. “This abuse of state power by police and security agencies undermines the rule of law and poses a grave risk of plunging Liberia back into chaos,” he asserted.
The Chairman of the Rule of Law Caucus emphasized that a police state will not be tolerated. “The Liberian people must stand united against these actions and demand accountability,” Bility urged, calling for a collective response to protect democracy.
He demanded the immediate release of unlawfully detained individuals and called for a credible investigation into their arrests. Bility also appealed to the international community for prompt intervention to prevent a crisis in Liberia.
“The government must respect the rule of law, or it will face the full resistance of the Liberian people,” he warned, asserting that Liberia belongs to its citizens—not a government that seeks to instill fear and intimidation. In closing, Bility reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and justice, stating, “We will not back down.”
Writ Amid Allegations of Torture
A writ of habeas corpus has been filed for a hearing scheduled on January 13, 2025, raising serious legal concerns regarding Thomas Etheridge’s treatment by security forces.
Represented by Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi of the International Law Group, the petition alleges Etheridge has faced unlawful detention and inhumane treatment by the LNP and the National Security Agency (NSA).
According to the petition, Etheridge was arrested on December 18, 2024, near the Capitol and taken into custody without formal charges within the constitutionally mandated 48-hour timeframe.
As of January 10, Etheridge remains detained, claiming he has been subjected to torture and coercive interrogation tactics aimed at extracting false confessions.
The legal team argues that the NSA and LNP violated Etheridge’s constitutional rights by extending his detention beyond legal limits and subjecting him to cruel treatment. They assert this conduct breaches several provisions of the Liberian Constitution, including Article 20(a), which guarantees personal liberty, and Article 21(e), which prohibits torture.
Additionally, they cite Article 21(f), mandating that arrested individuals must be formally charged and presented in court within 48 hours.
The petition calls for a writ of habeas corpus to compel authorities to produce Etheridge in court and justify his detention. His legal team seeks his immediate release and restoration of his constitutional rights.
Assigned Circuit Judge J. Kennedy Peabody has issued a writ of habeas corpus directing the LNP, NSA, and Ministry of Justice to bring Etheridge to the Temple of Justice on January 13 for a review of his detention’s legality.
The Incident
At 6:00 AM on Wednesday, residents of Capitol Hill and nearby communities were awakened by a fierce blaze engulfing the Capitol, the seat of the Liberian Legislature. The fire quickly intensified, causing significant damage, particularly in the Joint Chambers and adjacent areas.
The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) arrived shortly after 7:00 AM. Their intervention, along with that of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), helped subdue the fire.
Arson Confirmed
Joint Security reported last week that the Capitol fire was an act of arson. Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman announced there is sufficient evidence to support this conclusion. “We have identified people of interest, and if they fail to come forward, we will have them arrested,” Coleman stated during a press conference.
Many Liberians have questioned the investigation, citing comments made by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who seemed to predict the investigation’s outcome before it began.
Just hours after the incident, President Boakai called for a prompt investigation by the Justice Ministry to hold those responsible accountable. “We are a poor country, and people are trying to help us while others are bent on destroying it. If you have a problem, you have the rule of law. We have every way in this place to be able to listen to you,” he said.
The President further stated, “We will listen to you, but we are not going to accept this. We ask the Ministry of Justice and all security apparatus to investigate this matter. People who are caught will be dealt with, and we will set the tone for others who, when angry, destroy… we will not allow it.”
