By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has intensified its pursuit of accountability in one of the country’s high-profile corruption prosecutions by seeking the rearrest of indictee Nora Finda Bondoo, former Chief of Protocol to former President George Weah, arguing that the Criminal Appearance Bond used to secure her release falls far short of legal and statutory requirements.
In a move that could renew public debate over the handling of major corruption cases, AREPT, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, has formally filed exceptions before Criminal Court “C,” challenging the validity and adequacy of the bond submitted on Bondoo’s behalf.
The Taskforce contends that the bond is not only insufficient when measured against the magnitude of the allegations contained in the indictment but may also have failed to comply with legal procedures governing criminal appearance bonds.
According to a statement issued on Friday, June 12, 2026, and signed by Joseph F. Daniels, Public Relations Officer of AREPT, Bondoo and several co-defendants were indicted on a series of serious criminal charges, including money laundering, theft of property, misuse of public money, criminal conspiracy, forgery, and criminal facilitation.
The indictment alleges the unlawful acquisition and laundering of assets and resources valued at approximately US$6.9 million and L$871 million, making the case one of the most significant public corruption matters currently before the Liberian courts.
AREPT argued that given the scale of the alleged financial crimes, the bond submitted to secure Bondoo’s release does not provide adequate assurance that she will continue to appear before the court as required by law.
“The bond submitted to secure Ms. Bondoo’s release does not provide adequate assurance of her continued appearance before the Court,” AREPT stated, adding that the court should carefully examine whether all statutory requirements relating to the filing, valuation, verification, and approval of the bond were properly satisfied.
The Taskforce is therefore asking Criminal Court “C” to set aside the existing bond, order Bondoo’s rearrest, and require the filing of what it describes as a legally sufficient bond before any future release is granted.
The latest development has placed renewed attention on the integrity of Liberia’s judicial process and the treatment of individuals accused of large-scale economic crimes. Following AREPT’s statement, some anti-corruption advocates expressed concerns on social media, arguing that past anti-corruption efforts have often been undermined by instances in which high-profile suspects secured release under circumstances that raised questions about consistency and the equal application of the law.
Seeking to dispel any perception that its actions are politically motivated or intended to undermine constitutional rights, AREPT emphasized that its legal challenge is rooted solely in ensuring compliance with established legal procedures.
“AREPT’s action is not intended to deny any individual due process or constitutional protections,” the Taskforce said. “Rather, all defendants must comply with the same legal standards and procedures established to ensure accountability and the proper administration of justice.”
Executive Chairperson Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin has repeatedly maintained that the Taskforce’s mandate is centered on ensuring that public corruption, money laundering, and illicit asset accumulation cases are pursued without fear or favor and in strict adherence to the rule of law.
The Bondoo matter now rests before Criminal Court “C,” where the presiding judge will determine whether the challenged bond meets legal standards or whether the court will grant AREPT’s request for her rearrest pending the filing of a new bond.
The case is expected to be closely watched by anti-corruption advocates and members of the public who view it as a test of Liberia’s willingness to aggressively pursue accountability in cases involving the alleged misuse of public resources.
For its part, AREPT says it remains committed to working alongside the Ministry of Justice to ensure that corruption, money laundering, and asset recovery cases are prosecuted transparently and in accordance with due process.
