Tensions are escalating between Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Willie and the families of six men detained in connection with the December 2024 arson attack on the Liberian Capitol Building.
The families are calling for the judge’s recusal, citing alleged bias and what they describe as excessive and unconstitutional bail conditions.
The defendants, Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac Etheridge, Stephen Broh, and Gabriel Fansieh, have been held at Monrovia Central Prison for the past eight months.
Although Judge Willie recently approved a joint property bond worth US$500,000, secured by sureties Randolph S. Cole and Rufina J. Cole, he has refused to release the detainees unless each of them provides four human sureties, an additional requirement the families argue violates their constitutional rights.
The six were indicted alongside four lawmakers: former Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, Rep. Abu Kamara (Montserrado District #15), Rep. Dixon Wlawlee Seboe (Montserrado District #16), and Rep. Jacob C. Deebie (Grand Gedeh District #3).
Those lawmakers were granted release on a similar US$440,000 property bond, without the additional requirement for human sureties.
The families argue that Judge Willie’s bail conditions are discriminatory and contradict Article 21 of the Liberian Constitution, which protects against excessive bail and affirms the right to be released on personal recognizance or adequate sureties-except in cases involving capital or severe offenses.
“Once the judge approved the bond, we complied. We even volunteered as human sureties,” said one family member. “But he demanded our passports and national ID cards, and then rejected them because some had expired.”
Another relative added, “It feels like the judge has already judged them guilty before the trial. He’s treating them differently from the lawmakers who were released under less strict conditions.”
The families believe Judge Willie’s conduct in the case reflects personal bias and have instructed their lawyers to file a motion seeking his recusal.
Defense attorneys confirmed they are weighing such a motion but declined to specify when it might be filed. In the meantime, Judge Willie is set to hear a prosecution motion today opposing the defendants’ bail, citing concerns that they pose a flight risk.
The six men face serious charges linked to the December 18 fire that severely damaged the Capitol Building, destroying the Joint Chamber and the dome. Government officials estimate the damages at US$1.8 million.
According to the indictment, the attack was a coordinated effort to destabilize the government.
Among the accused, Eric Susay-a former elevator operator-and Thomas Isaac Etheridge, a maintenance director-are alleged to have played leading roles in organizing the incident.
The prosecution’s case reportedly includes surveillance footage, electronic messages, and eyewitness accounts.
The indictment also ties the defendants to violent protests that occurred the day before the fire.
Authorities allege Susay led a group of demonstrators demanding due process for Speaker Koffa, who was facing removal.
That protest reportedly turned violent and included the alleged assault of Sgt. Amara Bility, a Police Support Unit officer, in Jallah Town.
Although the lawmakers named in the same indictment were released on bond months ago, the six remaining defendants remain incarcerated due to the ongoing dispute over the bail requirements.
“Our question is simple,” said a family member. “If the lawmakers could be released on a property bond, why are these men being held to a different standard? This isn’t justice-it’s punishment before trial.”
As court proceedings continue, the growing debate over Judge Willie’s impartiality is emerging as a central issue in what is shaping up to be one of Liberia’s most politically charged criminal trials in recent history.
