Nora Finda Bondoo risks being rearrested if the Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice considers the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce, AREPT’s formal exceptions filed to the Court.
Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, AREPT is contending that the criminal appearance bond used to secure Miss Bondoo’s release falls far short of legal and statutory requirements.
Bondoo, former chief of protocol to former President George Weah, recently returned to the Country after staying out for several months amidst public uncertainty that she would not have returned to face justice in another high profile corruption case.
She and several others are indicted on multiple criminal charges, including money laundering, theft of property, misuse of public money, criminal conspiracy, forgery and criminal facilitation.
The Taskforce argues that the bond is not only insufficient when measured against the magnitude of the allegations contained in the indictment, but may also have failed to comply with legal procedures governing criminal appearance bonds.
Miss Bondoo and fellow co-defendants are accused of unlawful acquisition and laundering of assets and resources valued at approximately US$6.9 million and $871 Million Liberian Dollars, making the case one of the most significant public corruption matters currently before the Liberian courts.
AREPT argues that given the scale of the alleged financial crimes, the bond submitted to secure Bondoo’s release does not provide adequate assurance that she will continue to appear before the court as required by law.
Headed by Cllr. Kla Martin, the Taskforce is asking the Criminal Court ‘C’ to set aside the existing bond, order Bondoo’s rearrest, and require the filing what it calls a legally sufficient bond before any future release is granted.
Observers and analysts say the unfolding development has triggered renewed debate and put under the spotlight the integrity of Liberia’s judicial process and the treatment of individuals accused of large-scale economic crimes.
