Former President George Weah, Chief of Protocol, Nora Finda Bondo, on Monday, June 29, moved a step closer to secure judicial approval of her surety bond.
The decision followed conclusion on her motion to justify surety, but Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge Osuman F. Feika reserved ruling until Friday, July 3.
Judge Feika closed the evidentiary phase of the proceedings after the defense rested its case, admitting into evidence all documentary exhibits the Bondo’s legal team presented in court.
The court subsequently announced that it would study the evidence before rendering its decision.
The hearing centered not on Bondo’s criminal charges, but solely on whether the sureties and properties her lawyers presented satisfy the legal requirements for the bond the court previously approved.
Throughout the proceedings, the defense produced witnesses and documentary evidence, including deeds, tax clearances and property-related documents intended to establish the value and legitimacy of the assets offered as security.
One of the key witnesses, Fayiah Falanbo, underwent lengthy cross-examination by state lawyers representing the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT) and the Ministry of Justice.
During questioning, prosecutors attempted to challenge the valuation of the properties and the relationship between the witness and madam Bondo.
However, objections the defense raised were sustained, limiting portions of the prosecution’s line of questioning.
In other instances, the court overruled objections and permitted answers concerning the ownership and valuation of the properties.
Notably, when prosecutors questioned whether an evaluation report prepared during the Liberia Revenue Authority’s assessment formed part of the documents before the court, the witness declined to answer, “because RIA did not employ me.”
The court is meanwhile, expected to decide on Friday, July 3, whether the surety bond will be fully justified, a ruling that could influence the next phase of proceedings into the corruption prosecutions.