MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Nora Finda Bundoo’s bid to satisfy Criminal Court “C”’s US$8 million bond requirement has hit another legal roadblock, with the court ruling that the surety package presented on her behalf remains insufficient.
The court has given her surety 30 days to address the remaining deficit. In the meantime, Bundoo’s passports and all travel documents are confiscated, keeping her under the court’s jurisdiction as she faces multiple financial crime charges.
Judge Ousman F. Feika approved ACICO’s US$6 million bond and acknowledged a previously accepted US$240,000 surety.
However, he found that the US$2 million bond from American Underwriters Group (AUG) did not possess the necessary financial backing.
After examining AUG’s assets and liabilities, the court concluded that Bundoo’s valid sureties amount to US$6.657 million, leaving a shortfall of US$1.342 million.
The judge has mandated that AUG rectify the deficit within 30 days, emphasizing that the bond will not be approved until the full amount is secured.
This ruling underscores Bundoo’s ongoing challenge to meet the court’s increasing bond requirements as she awaits trial on charges that include money laundering and misuse of public funds.
The 30-day deadline now places the onus on the surety to prove they have sufficient additional financial resources.
Until the shortfall is addressed and the bond is formally approved, the court’s order to retain custody of Bundoo’s travel documents remains in effect.
Meanwhile, this ruling does not determine Bundoo’s guilt or innocence, as the criminal charges against her and the other defendants are still pending before the court.
