The Temple of Justice witnessed intense drama on January 13, 2025, as Thomas Etheridge, the key suspect in the Capitol Building fire, collapsed multiple times during and after a court session.
Etheridge had been summoned before Criminal Court ‘B’ following a writ of habeas corpus filed by his legal team, seeking his immediate release from what they described as unlawful detention.
Arrested near the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024, the same day it was engulfed by fire, Etheridge was held beyond the 48-hour limit mandated by the Constitution without being formally charged: his lawyer, Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi, filed a petition asserting that Etheridge’s detention violated constitutional guarantees, including the right to due process, protection against torture, and timely charging of detainees.
Etheridge alleged he had been tortured by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and National Security Agency (NSA) to extract false confessions. His claims included being waterboarded, physically assaulted, and threatened with being thrown into a snake pit. “They stripped me naked and told me I could never fight the government,” he recounted, adding that he was coerced into implicating others.
During the hearing, Judge Nuta emphasized the allegations’ severity and ordered a medical report on Etheridge’s condition be submitted by January 16. Despite objections from the government’s legal team, who denied the torture allegations and questioned the Court’s decision to release Etheridge into private custody, the judge reaffirmed his ruling, prioritizing Etheridge’s health and well-being.
Tensions escalated outside the courtroom when Etheridge was served en route to a hospital with another arrest warrant by Monrovia City Court officials. A clash between court officers ensued, resulting in Etheridge collapsing again. He was eventually transported to a medical facility but remains under police custody.
Etheridge’s claims have sparked widespread public outcry, with civil society groups and lawmakers demanding investigations into his treatment and the fire’s origins. Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman recently stated the fire was caused by arson, ruling out electrical faults. However, Etheridge’s allegations have cast doubt on the official investigation, fueling speculation of political motivations behind the case.
Former Montserrado County Representative Gray took to social media, describing Etheridge’s ordeal as “jungle justice” and a threat to his life. Similarly, Rep. Musa Hassan Bility condemned the alleged torture, warning that such actions jeopardize Liberia’s democracy and peace. He called for international intervention, asserting that Liberia cannot afford a slide into authoritarianism.
The Court is set to reconvene on January 16 to determine Etheridge’s health status and address the legality of his detention. Public attention remains fixed on the unfolding case, which has highlighted concerns about the rule of law and the treatment of detainees in Liberia.
