Political weaponization refers to the misuse of governmental powers and institutions to target political or ideological opponents. This can involve using law enforcement, the justice system, or other governmental resources to investigate, prosecute, or otherwise punish individuals or groups based on their political beliefs or affiliations, rather than for legitimate legal reasons. However, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between political weaponization and the execution of justice when it applies to major opposition figures.
On Friday, June 6, 2025, the Liberia National Police (LNP) invited seven representatives in connection to the fire incident that gutted the Capitol Building during the impasse among members of the House. Those invited are J. Fonati Koffa, Dixon W. Seboe, Abu Kamara, Jacob Debee, II, Priscillia Cooper, Marvin Cole and Frank Saah Foko. They were invited at the Liberia National Police (LNP) headquarters at about 10:00 a.m., and later charged with arson, criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person, criminal attempt to commit murder, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation and criminal conspiracy.
But instead of forwarding the alleged culprits to court, they were further detained at the LNP headquarters until the evening hours when the courts had closed, and subsequently dragged to the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach Prison) for detention. Representative Cooper was earlier released to her lawyers on medical conditions, as well as Representatives Foko and Cole were released. However, the rest were detained until after 5:00 p.m. and sent to prison.
There have since been contentions as to whether or not the LNP is executing justice in favor of the state and preserving democracy or testing the resolve of the opposition to see what would be the outcome/consequences of such an action.
The Inspector General of Police, Col. Gregory Coleman, on Friday, June 6, 2025, addressed the nation with the findings of the fire investigation, claiming that the findings are not assumptions or opinions, but based on verified evidence and guided by the law. He stated that the investigation uncovered a coordinated plan, executed with intent to destroy a national symbol and undermine the peace of the country, and that those charged include both private citizens and sitting lawmakers.
Col. Coleman observed that this is not a political battle, but a matter of justice, as the law does not see color or party line, but facts.
He threatened those circulating messages of unrest or calling for violence to be reminded that Liberia has paid a heavy price for peace, and the LNP would not allow fear, threats, or incitement to reverse these gains.
However, political pundits are expressing descending opinions to Col. Coleman’s view, wondering why would the LNP invite the accused (former Speaker Koffa et al) to the police headquarters at 10:00 a.m. only to hold them there until about 5:00 p.m. to arrest and charge them.
The question about why the charges were not levied against the accused as soon as they arrive and turned over to the City Court for prosecution is yet to be answered by the LNP authorities.
Some political observers are accusing the Boakai administration of using the security and justice systems to go after individuals with firm stances and/or critical voices against the government, and that this is just the beginning.
They alleged that the intent of the police action is to test the resolve of the opposition to know whether or not they are united to resist unwarranted actions by the government against individual members, or if nothing would come out of it. They say, if the opposition allows this action to slip without any counter-reaction, they would be creating room for more extrajudicial actions against them, which would go with impunity.
They called on the government not to take the leniency of the public for weakness, and warned that the LNP should understand its bounds and conform to it, else their actions could lead to the public taking the laws into their hands and leaving the society chaotic.