Former Vice President Taylor Wants Independent Special Prosecutor Investigate Allegation Of Police Misconduct In Capitol Building Arson Case
June 25, 2025
Monrovia: Former VP Jewel Howard Taylor Demands is calling on President Joseph Boakai to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate allegation around police misconduct in the ongoing Capitol Building arson case.
There has been mounting public pressure and growing demands from opposition calling for transparency in the arson case alleging witness tampering, evidence mishandling, and procedural irregularities in the ongoing probe.
The National Patriotic Party Standard Bearer warned that failure to address the allegation issues could result in wrongful convictions while the true perpetrators remain at large. “This situation poses a serious threat to the constitutional rights and freedoms of our citizens,” Taylor asserted, describing the allegations as a direct challenge to the credibility of Liberia’s justice system.
The former Vice President emphasized that an independent investigation, free of political interference, is essential to restore public confidence. She stressed that upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of all Liberians must remain the nation’s highest priority. “I stand in solidarity with those demanding justice and urge national leadership to act decisively,” Taylor stated.
“In doing so, we protect the rights of every Liberian and preserve the spirit and letter of our Constitution.” Her remarks mark one of the strongest statements yet from a prominent political figure regarding the controversy surrounding the Capitol arson case.
A Civil Society under the banner Civil Society Consortium of Liberia has joined the call for an independent special prosecutor to investigate alleged abuse and misconduct in the Capitol arson case
In a release issued on June 25, 2025, the Democratic Watch Initiative and the Liberia CSO Watch Network, operating under the Civil Society Consortium made up of five legally registered organizations emphasized that the allegations of torture, witness tampering and political persecution cannot be ignored.
The group described the case as a disturbing breakdown of law and due process pointing to reports of illegal detention coerced confessions physical and psychological abuse and attempts to silence witnesses
They named individuals including Thomas Etheridge Andrew Lawson Albert Weah John Nyanti and Christian Koffa as victims of a pattern of abuse allegedly carried out by state security actors
The Consortium raised concerns over constitutional violations especially the right to bail and fair treatment under Article 21 of the 1986 Constitution which the group says questioned the credibility of the investigations currently being handled by the Liberia National Police and Ministry of Justice, “These institutions cannot investigate themselves amid claims of bias and misconduct”.
The civil society group echoed the opposition’s demand for a Special Prosecutor, fully independent with powers to uncover the truth and protect witnesses and ensure transparency.
They also called for the release of individuals in prolonged detention and urged that there be publication of all investigative findings for public accountability
The Consortium warned that justice manipulation especially in politically sensible cases could attract international backlash and jeopardize Liberia’s democratic stability
Signed by Mark Mulla Chairman of the Democratic Watch Initiative and Wilmot Gibson Chairman of the Liberia CSO Watch Network the Consortium declared its commitment to justice and the protection of constitutional rights for all Liberians
