By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Finda Bundoo has been remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison after Criminal Court “C” rejected her second attempt to secure pretrial release, ruling that her replacement criminal appearance bond failed to comply with Liberia’s legal requirements.
The latest ruling on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 marks another setback for Bundoo, who is among several defendants facing prosecution in one of Liberia’s largest public asset recovery cases involving the alleged misappropriation and laundering of more than US$6 million and L$800 million in public funds.
Bundoo, accompanied by members of her legal team, surrendered herself to state security authorities shortly after Presiding Judge Ousman F. Feika ruled that the replacement bond submitted by her lawyers was legally insufficient and ordered that she remain in custody until a valid bond is filed and approved.
The decision followed a successful challenge by prosecutors from the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT), acting through the Ministry of Justice, who argued that the revised bond failed to satisfy the statutory requirements governing criminal appearance bonds under Liberian law.
Judge Feika agreed with the prosecution’s arguments, nullified the replacement bond, and ordered Bundoo’s immediate detention. She was subsequently escorted to the Monrovia Central Prison, where she was formally processed and remanded.
The latest development comes after the court had previously invalidated Bundoo’s original criminal appearance bond, finding that two proposed human sureties did not meet the legal qualifications required under Liberian law. At the time, the court granted the defense 72 hours to submit a legally compliant replacement bond.
In response, Bundoo’s lawyers filed a new bond package comprising a US$240,000 property valuation bond backed by real estate located in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, together with affidavits executed by three individuals offering to serve as human sureties guaranteeing her appearance before the court.
However, prosecutors argued that the revised submission remained legally defective, contending that the property valuation documents, supporting records, and proposed sureties failed to satisfy the statutory requirements governing criminal appearance bonds.
After reviewing the submissions, Judge Feika agreed with the prosecution and ruled that the replacement bond did not meet the legal standards required for Bundoo’s release pending trial.
The ruling represents the second time Criminal Court “C” has rejected Bundoo’s effort to secure pretrial release, underscoring the court’s insistence on strict compliance with Liberia’s bond laws, particularly in high-profile corruption and financial crimes cases.
Defense lawyers have indicated they will immediately prepare and file another criminal appearance bond in an effort to secure Bundoo’s release pending trial.
Bundoo is among several defendants indicted by the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT) 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.
According to the indictment, the alleged offenses occurred while Bundoo served as Chief of Protocol at the Executive Mansion during the administration of former President George Manneh Weah.
Prosecutors allege that public funds intended for official government operations were unlawfully diverted through a network of public officials and private individuals, making the case one of Liberia’s most significant asset recovery prosecutions in recent years.
Bundoo has been charged with multiple offenses, including money laundering, theft of property, misuse of public money, forgery, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and abuse of office.
She has consistently denied all allegations.
Through her lawyers, Bundoo maintains her innocence and remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, in accordance with Liberian law.
Unless the defense successfully files a criminal appearance bond that fully satisfies the court’s legal requirements, Bundoo is expected to remain at the Monrovia Central Prison pending further proceedings in the case.
