MONROVIA – Supporters of former Chief of Protocol Madam Nora Finda Bundoo have launched a robust defense against the sweeping corruption and money-laundering allegations leveled against her and her daughter, Anita Pamela Jallah. Allies insist the charges are politically motivated, describing them as a “witch-hunt” orchestrated by President Boakai’s government to weaken the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and silence influential voices.
Central to the allegations is the Anita Group of Companies, owned by Anita Jallah, which prosecutors claim was used to facilitate illicit enrichment. Bundoo’s allies, including her close confidant Sekou Kalasco Damaro, assert that the company is fully legitimate; “legally registered, fully licensed, and pays all its taxes,” Damaro stated. He also emphasized that the business registration and tax clearance remain valid for 2024 and 2025, countering claims of wrongdoing.
Damaro defended a 2022 contract in which Anita Group supplied rice to the Ministry of Defense, noting that it was “fully approved and notarized by the Ministries of Finance and Justice.” He questioned the government’s position, saying it is contradictory to call the contract illegal while still recognizing and taxing the company. “It is unfair and inconsistent,” he added, framing the charges as political rather than legal.
The Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has issued arrest warrants for Bundoo, Jallah, and more than 40 others. Criminal Court “C” authorized the warrants on November 5, citing an indictment that accuses the group of money laundering, theft of property, misuse of public funds, criminal conspiracy, forgery, and criminal facilitation. AREPT investigators allege that financial transactions linked to Bundoo and Jallah from 2020 onward totaled over US$6 million and L$800 million, with real estate holdings in Christopolis, Brewerville, and Rehab, Paynesville.
A recent General Auditing Commission (GAC) report further implicated the Anita Group in a debt-claim fraud scheme, identifying the company as one of 77 firms that allegedly claimed over US$768,000 without providing contracts or evidence of services rendered. The GAC subsequently canceled the debt claims after Anita Group failed to respond to requests for documentation. AREPT maintains that the ongoing investigations are part of broader asset recovery efforts under Executive Orders 126 and 145.
Legal representatives for Bundoo have rejected AREPT’s summons, insisting that any allegations be brought before a competent court. “If AREPT believes it has credible evidence of wrongdoing, then due process demands it be submitted to a court,” said Cllr. Abraham Wade Simpson, representing Bundoo. In correspondence, Bundoo’s lawyers described the task force proceedings as prejudiced and politically charged, declining to appear before AREPT directly.
Bundoo herself condemned the allegations, questioning the task force’s impartiality. She said, “You cannot be the opposing team and be the referee; why will you have invited me? These are all mere political plays to damage my reputation.” AREPT officials have defended their authority, noting the task force’s legal mandate to investigate and recover assets allegedly misappropriated from the government.
The task force confirmed the authenticity of a leaked letter sent to Bundoo, which had sparked public debate. AREPT described the leak as “deliberate,” suggesting internal attempts to frame the investigation as politically motivated. The confirmation came amid mounting scrutiny over the timing and scope of the indictments.
