Monrovia, Liberia–The Monrovia City Magisterial Court has authorized the extradition of Liberian-American national Othello Bruce to the United States, where he faces serious criminal charges, including Aggravated Statutory Rape of a Minor and Indecent Assault and Battery.
Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco delivered the ruling on April 29, 2025, at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
The Government of Liberia, represented by the Ministry of Justice, filed the case following a formal extradition request from the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.
The charges arise from a 2013 indictment by a grand jury in Worcester County, Massachusetts, accusing Bruce of committing 12 sexual offenses against his biological daughter between December 2010 and March 2012.
Bruce reportedly fled the United States on September 26, 2012, and has been living in Liberia since. An arrest warrant has been active since August 2013, and the statute of limitations has not expired.
During court proceedings, the prosecution called Cllr. Alina M. Bility from the Ministry of Justice, who confirmed Bruce’s identity and detailed the charges against him.
She cited the 1937 extradition treaty between Liberia and the United States, recognized by Liberia’s Supreme Court, as the legal foundation for the request.
Bruce’s defense attorney, Cllr. James N. Kumeh, contested the case, arguing that the prosecution’s reliance on a single witness was insufficient.
He referenced a verse from the Bible, John 8:17, to support his claim regarding the need for multiple testimonies.
Despite the defense’s argument, Magistrate Barco ruled in favor of extradition, finding the witness credible and supported by authenticated documents, including the U.S. indictment and diplomatic correspondence.
He affirmed that both the treaty and Liberian law provide a lawful basis for Bruce’s extradition.
“The applicable legal provisions align with both the extradition treaty and Liberia’s statutory requirements,” Magistrate Barco declared in his ruling.
He ordered Bruce to be transferred to the Ministry of Justice for immediate extradition procedures and instructed the Clerk of Court to issue a Certificate of Committal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bruce’s legal team expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and announced plans to appeal to Criminal Court “A” during its May Term.
