The Supreme Court Justice In-Chambers, Yussif D. Kaba on Monday, April 8, 2024, declined to issue a request by the Gracious Ride to prevent the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Team from impounding all of its vehicles.
Associate Justice Kaba’s decision was based on a communication by the Assets Recovery Team in which it yielded in part to the petition and that they were going to abide by the authority of the court and proceed in the execution of their duty with appropriate regard to the rule of law.
According to the communication, the Assets Recovery Team admonished that its action was not deliberate to disenfranchise the Gracious Ride but was done to investigate the allegation of suspicion surrounding the acquisition of the petitioner’s vehicles.
The Assets Recovery Team further maintained the investigation of suspicious assets falls within the mandates of Executive Order #126 which was announced by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
However, in a one page decision, Associate Justice Kaba also mandated the Task Force to proceed in line with the law.
Justice Kaba’s ruling obtained by this paper, reads: “By directive of His Honor Yussif D. Kaba, Associate Justice Presiding in Chambers, has declined to issue the writ prayed for by the petitioner, reserving the rights and considering the attached communication from the respondent, you are hereby informed that the respondent to proceed in keeping with law.”
Before the Chambers Justice’s order, he gave five days ultimatum to Gracious Ride which expired on April 5, 2024, to bring their legitimate documents that give them the right to ownership or entitlement.
The ultimatum was issued on Monday, April 1, 2024, following a decision made by Justice Kaba during a conference held with lawyers representing the Assets Recovery Team and Gracious Ride.
On March 28, 2024, the Assets Recovery Task Force in a search to recover government assets, impounded vehicles belonging to Gracious Ride Transport, which is reportedly owned by former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundo.
The team contended that funds used to purchase said vehicles were allegedly stolen by the former government official through the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs.
The Management of Gracious Ride Transport was quick to run to the Chambers Justice at the Supreme Court to prohibit the Asset Recovery Team from seizing her vehicles offering transport services in the country.
