Liberian police have questioned Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Speaker of the House of Representatives, following a massive fire that engulfed the Capitol building in Monrovia, destroying the legislature’s joint chambers.
The blaze erupted early Wednesday, sending thick black smoke and flames into the sky. No one was inside the building at the time.
Police Chief Gregory Colman confirmed that Speaker Koffa and Representative Frank Saah Foko were among four individuals brought in for questioning. The fire occurred a day after a protest against plans to remove Koffa from his role as Speaker turned tense, leading to arrests, including an aide to former President George Weah.
Representative Foko came under scrutiny after posting a video on Facebook where he allegedly said, “If they want us to burn the chambers, we will burn it.” Police Chief Colman said Foko must clarify his remarks given the timing of the fire.
Speaker Koffa is also being questioned about a social media post he made during Tuesday’s protests. Both lawmakers have yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The government has announced a $5,000 (£3,900) reward for any information about the fire, with President Joseph Boakai expressing disappointment and calling for a thorough investigation.
The fire comes amidst an ongoing power struggle within Liberia’s House of Representatives. A faction of lawmakers claims to have removed and replaced Koffa as Speaker, but another group has deemed the move unconstitutional.
The dispute has escalated to the Supreme Court, but the ruling failed to resolve the standoff. With tensions running high, the fire has added another layer of complexity to Liberia’s legislative crisis, raising questions about its cause and potential political implications.
