The Speaker of Liberia was questioned by the police about the burning of the parliament
The speaker of the parliament in Liberia was questioned by the police after the big fire that happened in the parliament in West Africa.
Residents of the capital Monrovia woke up Wednesday morning to see thick black smoke and flames rising from the Capitol building.
The fire destroyed all the meeting rooms of the Legislature, but no one was in the building at the time.
Four people, including Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and Representative Frank Saah Foko, have been brought in for questioning, said Liberian police chief Gregory Colman.
The fire occurred a day after plans to remove Koffa from his position as Speaker sparked violent protests.
Many protesters, including an aide to former President George Weah, were arrested during Tuesday’s protest.
Representative Foko, who is well-known in the House, is said to have posted a video on Facebook where he said: “If they want us to burn the rooms, we will burn them.”
Police Chief Coleman said: “Representative Foko threatened to burn down the Chambers joint and a day later it was burnt down. So he needs to clarify his statement.”
Coleman said Koffa must also explain the Facebook post he made during the protests.
Neither Foko nor Koffa have publicly responded to Coleman’s comments.
The government has offered a reward of $5,000 (£3,900) for more information about the fire.
President Joseph Boakai expressed his dismay at the incident and ordered the security forces to investigate.
The Parliament of Liberia has been engulfed in a power struggle where a group of members of Parliament said they removed Speaker Koffa from office.
Another group opposes this action and says it is against the constitution.
The Supreme Court decision failed to resolve the internal dispute.
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