Hunghi Choi, a Korean national campaigning against illegal coltan trading, has reportedly been arrested and detained by the Pleebo City Magisterial Court after appearing to demand a US$1,300 cash bond and the dismissal of a two-year-old case.
In 2024, Choi was arrested and charged with criminal trespass and criminal coercion under Liberia’s New Penal Law through a writ filed in the name of the Republic of Liberia by private prosecutor Kaism Pasah for an alleged act of unlawfully entering the plaintiff’s premises, accusing him of buying illegal coltan, photographing him without permission, attempting to blackmail him, and publishing his photograph and allegations on social media.
He was later released after posting a US$1,300 cash bond with the court.
According to sources, Choi was slapped with a 10-week detention by the court after appearing to demand the return of his US$1,300 cash bond and dismissal of a criminal case pending for more than two years.
Sources close to Choi said he appeared before the court last week seeking dismissal for want of prosecution. They said he relied on Magisterial Court Rules requiring such matters to be disposed of within 30 days. He argued that his case had remained unresolved for more than two years without trial, substantive hearing, or judgment, and also demanded his bond.
The court reportedly ordered his detention for two weeks. The detention also raises questions about the court’s reasons and whether Choi had an opportunity to answer any allegation against him.
Section 15.21 of the New Penal Law addresses criminal trespass, including unlawful entry into a building or occupied structure without legal privilege. Section 14.27 addresses criminal coercion, involving specified threats or pressure intended unlawfully to restrict another person’s freedom of action.
The prosecution alleges Choi entered private premises without permission and attempted blackmail. Whether the allegations meet the statutory elements of either offense remains for a competent court to determine.
The case also raises concerns under Article 21 of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, which protects accused persons through guarantees that include a speedy trial and bail. A case pending for more than two years warrants scrutiny, although whether the delay amounts to a constitutional violation depends on its causes, the parties’ conduct, and the court record.
The unresolved bond raises a separate accountability issue. A Maryland County legal practitioner, speaking anonymously, said cash bonds should not be treated as government revenue and must be properly documented.
“A cash bond is not a fine. It is not revenue. It must be received, lodged in the Judiciary’s account, and returned when the defendant appears. If it is unaccounted for, that is an audit and criminal issue,” the practitioner said.
Choi serves as the general manager of Koos Liberia Company, which holds a license for legal coltan operations. He exposed illegal coltan mining activities in areas such as Pogbaken Town (Karluway District) and Pleebo Sodoken District in Maryland County.
Choi had earlier reported that an individual named Kamel (operating UP Cape Partnership, a company licensed for titanium rather than coltan) and an associate named Addy Sieh were illegally mining and trafficking coltan. He has consistently reported that his life has been threatened as a result of exposing these operations.
