Monrovia, Liberia – A $1,318,845.33 property valuation bond has been filed in Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice, securing the release of 13 defendants out of 40 charged in a sprawling financial crimes investigation.
The defendants face serious allegations including money laundering, theft of property, misuse of public funds, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and criminal facilitation. The case, presided over by Judge Ousman F. Feika, involves prominent business executives and government officials linked to the Anita Group of Companies.
Sureties Pledge High-Value Properties
The bond was filed by Cllr. Garrison D. Yealue, Jr., Fayiah Fallambu, and Tina Kumba Fallambu, who offered real estate in Duazon, Margibi County, and Gardnersville, Montserrado County as security. Court documents confirm the properties are fully taxed through January 2026, free of liens or disputes, and valued collectively at over US$1 million.
The bond guarantees that the defendants will comply with all court orders and appear for future hearings.
Defendants Named in Indictment
Among those indicted are Francis T. Blamo, Philip Toe, Praise Farley, Johnson Sumo, Joyce P. Sawyer, Antoinette D. Anderson, and other executives and associates of Anita Group subsidiaries such as Anita Business Center, Anita Mining and Agriculture Development Cooperative Society, and Gracious Ride.
High-ranking government officials are also implicated, including Thelma E. Duncan, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and G. Edmund Ponpon, Jr., Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Court Approval and Next Steps
Judge Ousman F. Feika approved the bond on November 12, 2025, after the sureties executed the bond under oath before Justice of the Peace Bardison Doku of Montserrado County. The 13 defendants are now free pending continued hearings, with strict conditions to ensure court compliance.
Background
The case forms part of an ongoing probe by the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT), which investigates the alleged misappropriation and illicit conversion of public assets. The matter has drawn national attention due to its scale, involving millions of dollars, prominent business leaders, and public officials. Analysts say the outcome could set a precedent in Liberia’s fight against economic and financial crimes.
