As Findings show severe Torture, and damages; Likely future if not treated
Several sources at the private run medical center, AMI says medical examination conducted on two of the suspects in the capitol arson case involving former House Speaker Fonati Koffa and other, have established severe tortured with a likelihood of future damages if treatment is not done quickly.
The examination according to the source was conducted on Tuesday night. Interestingly, Police Commissioner General Colman was spotted within the premises of the AMI even though it remains unclear why was he there.
Portion of the examination report detailed physician recommendation for quick medical attention or else he may suffer from serious complications in the near future.
Recently serious contention sparked between prosecution lawyers and the defense team of the accused for the used of JFK Medical center for the examination. But defense LAWYERS opted for a private hospital rather than JFK which is a government run facility.
In early September, Six defendants currently facing trial in one of Liberia’s most politically charged arson cases filed a formal Motion for Independent Medical Examination before the First Judicial Circuit Court, Criminal Assizes “A”, citing allegations of severe torture at the hands of state security officers and expressed mistrust in the government-owned John F. Kennedy Medical Center.
The defendants, Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac, Thomas Etheridge, and Stephen Broh are jointly charged with multiple capital and felony offenses including arson, criminal mischief, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, and intent to commit murder, stemming from the Capitol Building fire incident earlier this year.
In a motion submitted on Monday, September 8,2025, the defense team argued that the accused were subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment during interrogation by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP).
According to the motion, the defendants are currently suffering from urinary complications, blurred vision and bruises allegedly resulting from waterboarding, physical beatings, and exposure to intense lighting, conditions they believe require immediate and impartial medical evaluation.
“These symptoms are not coincidental. They are consistent with the injuries caused by the physical and psychological torture these young men endured while in state custody,” stated Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson, one of the lead defense attorneys, following a recent argument into motion to suppress evidence filed by the Prosecution.
The motion emphasized that the JFK Medical Center, being a government-owned and operated facility, lacks the independence and neutrality required to conduct an objective medical assessment in a case being prosecuted by the same government.
This is not the first time Cllr. Johnson has raised alarm over the use of JFK Medical Center in sensitive criminal matters.
