Liberia: Finda Bundoo Asks Supreme Court to Void U.S.$8 Million Bond, Calls Jailing Order Unconstitutional

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing a report by The Liberian Investigator, says former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo has asked Liberia’s Supreme Court to strike down an US$8 million criminal appearance bond and halt a detention order issued by Criminal Court “C.” The petition challenges a July 21 ruling by Judge Ousman F. Feika, who set the bond at the full amount Bundoo is accused of helping to misappropriate and ordered her held at Monrovia Central Prison.

According to the report, Bundoo’s lawyers argue the bond is excessive under Article 21 of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, which protects the right to bail and bars excessive bail and punishment. They say it is unfair to impose the full alleged loss on one defendant in a case involving more than 48 accused people, and contend that an appearance bond is meant to secure a defendant’s presence at trial rather than recover alleged stolen funds.

The case stems from an indictment brought by the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force. Bundoo and other defendants, including officials connected to Anita Business Center and the Anita Mining and Agriculture Development Cooperative Society, face charges such as money laundering, theft of property, misuse of public funds, conspiracy, forgery and criminal facilitation. Bundoo’s petition says she returned voluntarily to Liberia after medical treatment abroad and surrendered to the court.

The dispute also concerns rejected sureties. Prosecutors challenged Bundoo’s proposed bond after the court found one property pledged by Cllr. John Moses Gbetee was already heavily encumbered. Bundoo’s lawyers argue she should have received another 72 hours to file a replacement bond before being jailed. The Supreme Court is being asked to suspend and reverse Judge Feika’s order.