The Supreme Court of Liberia has placed an immediate hold on the high-profile Capitol Building arson case involving former House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and his co-defendants.
The stay order was issued by Associate Justice Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, sitting in Chambers, after defense lawyers petitioned for a writ of certiorari, seeking a review of a ruling from the lower court.
The development followed a Wednesday decision by Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, who denied a motion from the defense to suppress evidence presented by the prosecution. Judge Willie ruled that questions about the credibility of the evidence should be left for trial jurors to decide, not the court.
“It is the honest view of this Court that the evidence should be passed unto the Trial Jurors, who are the trial of facts and clothed with the legal authority to determine the genuineness of the allegations as made by the Defendants,” Judge Willie stated, as he scheduled proceedings to resume Friday, September 26, at 10 a.m.
Defense lawyers, however, countered that the evidence was obtained under duress. They cited independent medical examinations conducted by Dr. Philip Zochonis Ireland of AMI Expeditionary Healthcare in September 2024. His reports documented blunt trauma, irregular cardiac rhythm, and psychological issues, concluding the conditions were “highly consistent with the allegation of torture and ill-treatment” under the Istanbul Protocol.
Among those examined were defendants Jerry Pokah, 40, Thomas Etheridge, 40, and Eric Susay, 40, with recommendations for urgent psychological care and specialist reviews.
Lead defense counsel Cllr. Wilkins Wright argued that Judge Willie mishandled the evidentiary questions, insisting the matter raises serious constitutional concerns. This prompted the defense to file the petition now under review by the Supreme Court.
In a communication signed by Supreme Court Clerk Cllr. Sam Mamalu, Justice Wolokolie has cited all parties to appear at a conference on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
“By directive of Her Honor Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, Associate Justice presiding in Chambers, you are hereby cited to a conference with Her Honor on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the hour of 3:00 p.m., in connection with the above captioned case. Meanwhile, you are ordered to stay all further proceedings and/or actions in the matter pending the outcome of the conference,” the notice read.
The Capitol Building arson trial has already captured national attention due to the political weight of its defendants. With the Supreme Court’s intervention, the case now faces further uncertainty ahead of the October 2 conference.
