Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, has welcomed the release of former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and three other opposition lawmakers, while sharply criticizing what he described as selective justice and politically charged enforcement of the law.
In a strongly worded statement issued Monday, Cummings said the arrest and detention of the lawmakers, followed by the swift release of a ruling party-aligned representative, exposed inconsistencies in the administration of justice. He stressed that while the rule of law must prevail, its application should be fair and nonpartisan.
“Our actions over the last few days aren’t just about Fonati Koffa and others, it’s about something bigger: the rule of law, due process, and fair treatment for all citizens, regardless of political alignment,” Cummings said.
He argued that all accused individuals must be presumed innocent until proven guilty and that public embarrassment and unequal treatment should have no place in a democratic society. Referring to the earlier release of Representative Prescilla Cooper, who was turned over to her lawyers shortly after her arrest, Cummings questioned why similar discretion wasn’t extended to the opposition lawmakers.
“We can’t support a system where some are treated with discretion… and others are paraded and punished before trial. Justice must be consistent,” he emphasized.
The ANC leader also dismissed suggestions that questionable legal tactics should be accepted simply because they occur in other jurisdictions. “Liberia must lead by doing what’s right, not just what’s familiar,” he said.
Cummings further defended the opposition’s outspokenness, saying it is a democratic responsibility to raise alarm when government actions raise legitimate concerns. “That’s not bitterness, that’s democracy,” he said. “Raising issues around weekend arrests or politically charged optics isn’t defending wrongdoing, it’s calling for fairness.”
He concluded by reaffirming the ANC’s commitment to a just and inclusive Liberia. “The ANC is where everybody is somebody,” he declared.
Koffa, along with Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debee, all of the opposition CDC, was released Friday on a US$440,000 criminal appearance bond after being jailed in connection with the ongoing Capitol Building arson investigation. Their release came days after public outcry over the perceived disparity in how different lawmakers were treated during the probe.
As political tensions continue to mount, Cummings’ remarks underscore the growing concerns over judicial independence and the government’s approach to dissent in post-election Liberia.
