MONROVIA – Defense counsel representing defendants Thomas Kivi Bah, alias Kaba; Jerry Pokah, alias Tyrese; Stephen M. Broh; John Nyanti; Christian Kofa; Amos Kofa; Eric Susay; and Thomas Etheridge has officially withdrawn the criminal appearance bond previously filed on their behalf. The bond, valued at US$4,500, was initially approved by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” but faced strong objections from state prosecutors.
In a formal withdrawal notice filed before the court, defense lawyer Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi stated that the withdrawal was made with the right to refile. He requested that the court’s record reflect that the withdrawal is to ensure the defendants’ appearance for the May Term of Court. The defendants face multiple charges, including arson, criminal attempt to commit murder, criminal mischief, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation, release of destructive forces, reckless burning or exploding, and recklessly endangering another person.
The withdrawal follows prosecutors’ exception to the bond, which challenged the sufficiency and legality of the property used as collateral. The prosecution argued that the real estate submitted, a property located in Virginia, Tire Shop Community, was not valid as bond security. According to the Liberia Revenue Authority’s Real Estate Tax Demand Notice, the property was in arrears of US$10,500 as of January 30, 2025. The prosecution maintained that the property did not meet the legal criteria of being an unencumbered real property with paid taxes and held in fee simple.
Prosecutors further emphasized that under Liberian law, every bail bond must carry security that assures the court of the defendants’ continued presence in the country. They claimed that no sufficient guarantee had been provided in the withdrawn bond. Moreover, they alleged that some defendants, including Thomas Etheridge, had previously fled to Sierra Leone and Ghana using false identities to evade law enforcement.
The state also raised issues with the real property valuation report attached to the bond, arguing that it was outdated, not notarized, and not sanctioned by a court of record, rendering it invalid for the bond’s purpose.
Citing national security concerns and the potential flight risk of the defendants, the prosecution urged the court to reject any bond that fails to meet the standard legal and financial requirements.
The withdrawal of the bond by the defense temporarily halts the defendants’ release but leaves room for a new bond to be filed in accordance with the law. The case remains pending before Criminal Court “A” as both parties prepare for the trial during the May Term of Court.
Like this:
Like Loading…
