MONROVIA, Liberia – Proceedings in Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice on Thursday centered on efforts by the defense to justify the criminal appearance bond filed on behalf of defendant Nora Finda Bondo, as one of her sureties, Counselor Abraham W. Simpson, took the witness stand to defend the adequacy and legitimacy of the property pledged to secure her release.
The hearing focused on whether the property offered by Simpson satisfies the legal requirements for a criminal appearance bond, with state prosecutors subjecting the defense witness to extensive cross-examination over the property’s valuation, supporting documentation, and his dual role as both legal counsel and surety.
Testifying under oath, Simpson identified himself as a practicing lawyer and one of Bondo’s sureties. He told the court that he pledged his privately owned property located in Gaye Town on Old Road, Sinkor, as collateral for the bond.
According to Simpson, the property is free of liens or encumbrances and carries an estimated market value exceeding US$200,000.
To support his affidavit as surety, Simpson said he submitted several documents, including a quitclaim deed, tax clearance certificate, tax payment receipt, property valuation report, and photographs of the property.
However, proceedings briefly stalled after it emerged that photocopies—rather than the original documents—had initially been attached to the bond papers.
Defense lawyers requested that the photocopies be temporarily marked as exhibits to avoid delaying the proceedings while the originals were being retrieved.
State prosecutors immediately objected, arguing that photocopies did not constitute the best evidence and citing previous court decisions discouraging the temporary marking of documents where originals were readily available.
Following arguments from both sides, the defense withdrew its request, prompting the court to grant a one-hour recess to allow the original documents to be produced.
When proceedings resumed, Simpson returned with the original records, which were subsequently admitted into evidence and marked by the court as Exhibit M/1-in-bulk. He identified the originals as the same documents previously referenced during his testimony.
Prosecutors Challenge Dual Role
The most intense exchanges of the hearing occurred during cross-examination, when prosecutors questioned Simpson about his decision to serve simultaneously as defense counsel and surety for his client.
State lawyers probed his understanding of the ethical rules governing legal practitioners, particularly provisions addressing situations in which attorneys may become witnesses in matters involving their own clients and the potential conflicts of interest such arrangements may present.
Defense counsel objected repeatedly to several of the prosecution’s questions.
Judge Ousman F. Feika sustained a number of those objections, ruling that some of the questions improperly sought legal conclusions that fell within the exclusive province of the court or were otherwise inappropriate for the witness.
Property Valuation Also Tested
Prosecutors also scrutinized the value of the property offered as security for the bond.
Responding to questions, Simpson testified that the valuation was based on a professional appraisal report previously submitted to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for tax purposes.
He informed the court that the property had been appraised at approximately US$230,810, adding that the assessment was conducted by a regional engineer assigned to Margibi County and that the report remains on file with the relevant government authorities.
Simpson further testified that he maintains regular communication with Bondo and is familiar with her place of residence.
Under questioning, however, he acknowledged that this was the first time he had ever served as a surety in a criminal proceeding.
Hearing Continues Monday
Following the conclusion of cross-examination, both the prosecution and defense waived redirect examination, recross-examination, and any additional questions from the bench.
Judge Feika subsequently discharged Simpson as a witness and adjourned the proceedings.
The court ordered that the hearing on the motion to justify the criminal appearance bond resume on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with all parties deemed duly notified through their appearance in court.
The proceedings form part of the ongoing judicial review of the criminal appearance bond filed on behalf of Nora Finda Bondo, as the court determines whether the surety offered by the defense satisfies the legal requirements for her continued release pending the outcome of the criminal case.
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