MONROVIA-Former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo was remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison on Tuesday, July 21, after Criminal Court “C” ordered her immediate arrest following the rejection of her second criminal appearance bond, marking another major development in one of Liberia’s most significant public corruption prosecutions.
By Willie N. Tokpah
Bundoo, accompanied by members of her legal team, surrendered herself to state security authorities shortly after Presiding Judge Ousman F. Feika ruled that her replacement bond was legally insufficient and ordered that she be taken into custody until a valid bond is filed and approved.
The ruling came after prosecutors from the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force, AREPT, acting through the Ministry of Justice, successfully challenged the legality of the second bond submitted by the defense.
The replacement bond had been filed after Judge Feika earlier nullified Bundoo’s first criminal appearance bond, finding that two of the proposed human sureties failed to meet the legal qualifications required under Liberian law. At the time, the court granted the defense 72 hours to file a legally compliant replacement bond.
In response, Bundoo’s lawyers submitted a new bond package consisting of a US$240,000 property valuation bond secured by real estate located in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, along with an affidavit of human surety executed by three individuals who pledged to guarantee her appearance before the court.
However, prosecutors argued that the revised bond remained legally defective.
They contended that the property valuation, supporting documentation, and proposed sureties failed to satisfy the statutory requirements governing criminal appearance bonds and urged the court to revoke the bond and order Bundoo’s immediate arrest.
Judge Feika agreed with the prosecution’s arguments, set aside the second bond, and ordered Bundoo’s immediate detention. Following the ruling, she was escorted to the Monrovia Central Prison, where she was formally processed and remanded.
Defense lawyers have indicated they will immediately prepare and file another criminal appearance bond in an effort to secure her release pending trial.
Bundoo is among several defendants indicted by the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force over the alleged misappropriation and laundering of more than US$6 million and L$800 million in public funds reportedly diverted between 2020 and 2023.
The indictment accuses Bundoo of serving as a principal defendant and charges her with multiple offenses, including money laundering, theft of property, misuse of public money, forgery, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and abuse of office.
According to prosecutors, the alleged crimes occurred while Bundoo served as Chief of Protocol at the Executive Mansion during the administration of former President George Manneh Weah from 2018 to 2024.
The government alleged that public funds intended for official government operations were unlawfully diverted through a network of officials and private individuals, leading to one of the country’s largest asset recovery prosecutions in recent years.
Bundoo has consistently denied all allegations. Through her lawyers, she maintains her innocence and remains presumed innocent under Liberian law unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Tuesday’s ruling represents the second time Criminal Court “C” has rejected Bundoo’s attempt to secure pretrial release, signaling the court’s insistence on strict compliance with Liberia’s bond laws in corruption and financial crimes cases.
Her incarceration is expected to continue unless the defense successfully files a bond that fully satisfies the court’s legal requirements.
