Sureties Defend Finda Bundoo’s Bond as Court Reserves Ruling
MONROVIA – Two witnesses appeared before Criminal Court “C” on Monday to defend the validity of the bond filed on behalf of former Chief of Protocol Madam Finda Bundoo, as the court heard arguments on a motion seeking to justify her sureties.
The first witness, Kai Farley, testified that a property valued at US$240,000 belongs to him and that he voluntarily pledged it as security to guarantee Bundoo’s appearance before the court throughout the trial.
Farley submitted Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) tax payment receipts and photographs of the property as evidence of ownership. He further told the court that the property has never been used as collateral for a loan or previously pledged as bond security in any other case.
Also taking the stand was John Moses Gbette, Chief Executive Officer of Union Trust Corporation, who testified that a separate property valued at US$350,000 in the GSA Community belongs to him and is legally registered through the Liberia Business Registry.
Gbette informed the court that he regularly pays taxes on the property but expressed surprise after being served with a Bill of Exceptions filed by the Ministry of Justice, which challenges the legality of the bond.
According to Gbette, prosecutors argue that the entity used to support Bundoo’s bond is not legally recognized, making the bond invalid.
The hearing follows the court’s earlier rejection of Bundoo’s initial bond after ruling that Cllr. Abraham Wade Simpson and defendant Fayiah Fatumb were not qualified to serve as sureties and that the bond failed to meet the legal requirements.
At the close of Monday’s proceedings, Resident Judge Ousman Feika reserved ruling on the motion to justify the new sureties. The court is expected to deliver its decision on Tuesday, July 21.
