Criminal Court ‘A’ at the Temple of Justice has granted temporary medical travel permission to former House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and Montserrado County District #15 Representative Abu Bana Kamara, allowing both men to seek medical treatment abroad.
The court approved separate requests filed by their lawyers to lift travel restrictions imposed as part of the ongoing Capitol Building arson case. According to court documents signed by Clerk of Court Hector M. Dolo, Koffa is authorized to travel to the United States from June 15 to July 18, 2026.
Representative Kamara was also granted permission to travel for medical examinations after reportedly suffering severe spikes in blood pressure during his brief detention. Both lawmakers are expected to return to Liberia once their approved medical leave expires to continue facing the charges against them.
The case stems from the December 18, 2024 fire that destroyed the Joint Chambers of the Capitol Building during a bitter leadership struggle in the House of Representatives. At the time, members of the Majority Bloc were pushing to remove Koffa as Speaker.
Following months of investigation, the Liberia National Police accused several opposition lawmakers from the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) of masterminding the fire, which authorities said caused more than US$1.8 million in damage.
In June 2025, Koffa, Abu Kamara, Dixon Seboe, and Jacob Debee were arrested and detained at the Monrovia Central Prison before securing their release on a joint criminal appearance bond of US$440,000. A grand jury later indicted them on charges including arson, criminal mischief, theft of property, and terroristic threats. All four pleaded not guilty.
Although Criminal Court ‘A’ continues to handle administrative matters, the trial itself remains suspended under a stay order issued by the Supreme Court of Liberia.
The defense petitioned the high court after challenging rulings made during the preliminary hearings, including questions surrounding the prosecution’s evidence.
The Supreme Court, through its chamber justice, ordered all proceedings in the case halted pending a full review of constitutional issues raised by the defense, including legislative immunity, due process concerns, and the admissibility of digital evidence.
