Judge Joe S. Barkon of the First Judicial Circuit Court, Criminal Assizes “C” for Montserrado County, has denied the prosecution’s objections to the appearance bonds filed on behalf of several former government officials accused in a high-profile corruption case.
The ruling clears the way for the matter to proceed to full trial.
In a ruling issued on Thursday, Judge Barkon overruled the prosecution’s exceptions to the criminal appearance bonds submitted by American Underwriters Group (AUG) and Sky International Insurance Company.
The case involves multiple former senior government officials facing charges including Theft of Property, Economic Sabotage, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, Abuse of Office, and Criminal Conspiracy.
Details of the Bond and Court’s Instruction
The court instructed its Clerk to officially notify Sky International Insurance Company to provide, within ten (10) days of receipt, a detailed report on the status of all bonds, civil and criminal, where the company serves as surety, including the current status of those cases.
In the court’s words:
“It is the candid ruling of this Court that the Respondent/Prosecution’s exceptions to the criminal appearance bonds of Co-Defendants Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Mary Broh, Thelma Sawyer, Edris Bility, and Momolu Johnson, filed through American Underwriters Group, Inc.-and those of Co-Defendants Henry O. Johnson, Augustine Kollie, Archievego M. Doe, Rosetta L. Gbassay Bowah, Evelyn Gbee, and Mamie Davies, filed through Sky International Insurance Company-are hereby denied and set aside.”
Key Accused Individuals
The high-profile defendants include:
Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Varney A. Sirleaf, former Minister of Internal Affairs
Thelma Sawyer, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Administration)
Edris Bility, former Deputy Director for Operations, General Services Agency (GSA)
Momolu Johnson, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs
The officials are alleged to have conspired in a coordinated scheme to misappropriate public funds and abuse their official positions.
Affidavit of Surety from AUG
An affidavit submitted by American Underwriters Group (AUG) affirms that the company is fully authorized under Liberian law to issue surety bonds. AUG pledged US$851,840.00 in property value as security for the appearance of the named defendants.
Key points from the affidavit include:
AUG is a legally registered and operational insurance firm in Liberia, with Articles of Incorporation and a valid 2024 business certificate presented to the court.
The pledged assets, both real and personal, are free of liens and taxes, and are wholly owned by the company.
The total value of the US$851,840 in assets has been allocated solely to guarantee the defendants’ appearance in court.
With the objections dismissed, Judge Barkon has instructed all parties to prepare for trial without further delay.
The Ministry of Justice and the Assets Recovery & Property Retrieval Task Force, led by Cllr. Edwin K. Martin, represent the Republic of Liberia as the plaintiff in the case.
This prosecution, involving prominent former officials, has attracted significant public and civil society attention and is seen as a critical test of Liberia’s commitment to combating corruption.
