Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “A,” Montserrado County, has formally scheduled a hearing to deliver a final ruling on a Motion to Suppress Evidence filed by defense counsel representing more than a dozen defendants accused in the capitol building arson case.
The court has set Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia as the official date and time for the ruling, according to a Notice of Assignment issued under the hand and seal of the Clerk of Court, Gabriel J. Smith.
Defendants Seek to Block Evidence in Multi-Count Indictment
The motion arises out of the ongoing prosecution of several individuals, including former speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Kofa, Dixon W. Seboe, Jacob C. Debbie, Kivi Bah (alias Kaba), Jerry Pokah (alias Tyrese), Stephen M. Broh, John Nyanti, Patience Bestman, Harrilyn Grace Johnson, Abu Kamara, Christian Kofa, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac, Etheridge, and others yet to be identified.
The Ministry of Justice, acting on behalf of the Republic of Liberia, has charged the accused with a range of serious offenses, including:
Arson
Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder
Criminal Mischief
Criminal Conspiracy
Criminal Facilitation
Release of Destructive Forces
Reckless Burning or Exploding
Criminal Solicitation
Recklessly Endangering Others
Defense lead lawyers, Cllr. Authur T. Johnson and M. Wrikin Wright representing the movants, filed the motion seeking to exclude certain evidence from trial, citing alleged violations of constitutional and procedural rights.
The specifics of the evidence in question remain sealed due to the sensitive nature of the case.
Court Awaiting Medical Report from AMI
Sources close to the proceedings confirm that the court is also awaiting a medical examination report from AMI AMI Expeditionary Healthcare Medical Center in relation to one or more of the defendants.
The findings could potentially impact proceedings, particularly if claims of physical or psychological duress are connected to the circumstances under which the evidence was obtained.
Recently, defense counsels alleged that state prosecutions are trying to manipulate the results and or outcome of the medical examination.
Social media have been flooded recently that leaked medical examination report from the AMI suggests that the victims were tortured to obtain pieces of evidence from them.
However, the prosecuting attorneys have vehemently rejected said allegations terming it as false and misleading; only indented to buy public sentiments.
Public Interest Intensifies
This case has captured national attention due to its association with the alleged arson attacks on public infrastructure, which investigators believe were part of a coordinated act of domestic sabotage.
The incident shocked the capital and prompted heightened security measures across Monrovia earlier this year.
Legal analysts say that the outcome of the motion to suppress could prove pivotal, potentially weakening the prosecution’s case if key evidence is ruled inadmissible.
The courtroom is expected to draw significant public and media interest when the matter resumes next week.
