By: Staff Writer
Temple of Justice – Lawyers representing six defendants in the ongoing Capitol Building arson trial have filed a motion with the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “A”, requesting independent medical examinations for their clients.
The move comes amid serious allegations of torture and sexual abuse allegedly inflicted by state security personnel.
The accused — Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac, Thomas Etheridge, and Stephen Broh — face charges including arson, criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and illegal possession of firearms, stemming from their alleged involvement in the 2025 arson attack on the Capitol Building in Monrovia.
In the motion submitted to His Honor Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, defense attorneys from the International Law Group claim the defendants suffered severe mistreatment while in custody at the National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters.
The alleged abuse reportedly involved beatings, water torture, and exposure to bright lights, resulting in blurred vision, painful urination, and symptoms consistent with urinary tract infections. The filing also suggests some acts may have included sexual violence, though it does not provide explicit details.
The defense argues that without urgent, independent medical intervention, the physical conditions of the accused could worsen, potentially becoming life-threatening.
They further question the neutrality of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, a public hospital operating under a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Justice to treat pretrial detainees, claiming this relationship represents a conflict of interest that could bias medical findings in favor of the state.
“This motion is rooted in humanitarian concern, not courtroom strategy,” the defense team stated, emphasizing alleged violations of the defendants’ constitutional rights under Liberia’s 1986 Constitution.
The motion was submitted by Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi, with legal support from Cllrs. Jantes Kumeh, Arthur T. Johnson, Momolu G. Kandakai, and M. Wilkins Wright.
Given the politically sensitive nature of the case and the seriousness of the charges, the new allegations have drawn concern from local and international human rights advocates.
The Ministry of Justice has not publicly commented on the claims or the motion. A ruling on the request is expected in the coming days.
