Authorities in Liberia are offering a $5,000 (£3,900) reward for information about a massive fire that engulfed part of the country’s Capitol building. The incident has sparked investigations and political controversy, with Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa denying any involvement.
The fire broke out early Wednesday, just a day after a protest over plans to oust Koffa from his role as speaker turned tense. Thick black smoke and flames were visible over Monrovia, but fortunately, the building was empty at the time.
Police have questioned Koffa, Representative Frank Saah Foko, and two others in connection with the blaze. Koffa confirmed to the media that he spent nine hours at the police station but insisted his visit was voluntary.
“If it was arson, that would have been a horrible thing,” Koffa said, maintaining his innocence. He added that the affected section of the building was aging and had been flagged by a contractor as a potential hazard.
The political crisis within Liberia’s House of Representatives has deepened in recent weeks, with rival factions disputing Koffa’s removal as speaker. A Supreme Court ruling has failed to resolve the deadlock, leaving the legislature mired in division.
Amid the unrest, Koffa has called for a neutral international investigation into the fire, rejecting accusations of violence. Police Chief Gregory Coleman has also pointed to a social media post made by Koffa during the protests, demanding further clarification.
The fire adds to the mounting challenges facing Liberia’s legislature, already struggling under the weight of political infighting and constitutional disputes.
