Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice has adjourned bond justification proceedings involving former Chief of Protocol to former President George Weah, Nora Finda Bondoo, after hearing testimony from the first surety supporting her criminal appearance bond.
Taking the witness stand, Cllr. Abraham W. Simpson testified that he owns a property located in Gaye Town, Old Road, Monrovia, valued at approximately US$230,810, which he has offered as security for Bondoo’s criminal appearance bond.
Simpson informed the court that he voluntarily executed an affidavit of surety and submitted supporting documents, including a title deed, tax clearance certificate, tax payment receipts, property valuation records, and photographs of the property. During direct examination, the lawyer-surety testified that all taxes on the property had been paid and that there were no liens or encumbrances attached to it.
He further stated that he signed the affidavit of surety willingly and without any form of coercion or duress. The hearing briefly stalled when Simpson disclosed that most of the original supporting documents were at his residence.
Defense counsel requested temporary markings on photocopies of the documents; however, the prosecution objected, arguing that photocopies did not constitute the best evidence and citing Supreme Court precedent against the temporary marking of documents.
Following the objection, the defense requested a brief continuance to retrieve the original documents. The court granted a one-hour recess, after which Simpson returned with the originals.
The documents were subsequently marked and admitted as Exhibit M/1-in-bulk, consisting of four sheets. During cross-examination, prosecutors focused extensively on Simpson’s dual role as both legal counsel and surety for Bondoo. Simpson acknowledged that he is one of Bondoo’s attorneys while simultaneously serving as a surety on her bond.
The prosecution questioned him about provisions of Liberia’s Code of Moral and Professional Ethics relating to lawyers serving as witnesses on behalf of their clients. The line of questioning generated several objections from the defense, some of which were sustained while others were overruled by the court.
When asked whether he remained committed to the ethical obligations governing the legal profession, Simpson responded that he stood by the Code of Moral and Professional Ethics and the oath he took as a lawyer.
Prosecutors also questioned the basis for the valuation of the property offered as security. Simpson explained that the value was derived from an appraisal report submitted to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), which was subsequently used to generate the property’s tax assessment.
According to Simpson, the appraisal was conducted by Zuana Fahnbulleh, a regional engineer assigned to Margibi County, between December 2025 and January 2026. He further testified that the appraisal report was not attached to the bond documents because it had already been submitted to the appropriate government agency.
In response to additional questioning, Simpson stated that he maintains regular communication with Bondoo, knows her place of residence, and is prepared to fulfill his obligations as a surety. He also disclosed that he has never before served as a surety in a criminal proceeding. The witness further confirmed that the quitclaim deed for the property was executed on January 17, 2025, and probated on August 26, 2025.
Criminal Court “C” subsequently discharged Simpson as a witness and ordered that the hearing on the motion to justify sureties continue on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. The court ruled that the presence of all parties and their respective legal counsel during Thursday’s proceedings shall serve as official notice of assignment. The proceedings are expected to continue with testimony from the remaining sureties as the court determines whether Bondoo’s criminal appearance bond satisfies the legal requirements for approval.
