The Liberian government, through the Ministry of Justice, has filed a formal objection to the criminal appearance bond submitted by six defendants facing a series of serious criminal charges, including arson, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, and attempted murder.
The prosecution urged Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie to set aside the bail bond posted by the accused-Christian Kofa, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac Etheridge, and Stephen Broh-arguing that the bond is defective, filed in bad faith, and poses significant risks to public safety and national security.
Flight Risk and Fraudulent Travel Documents Cited
One of the lead counsels for prosecution and county attoney Cllr. Richard Scott Jr., argued that several of the defendants have already demonstrated attempts to evade justice.
Notably, Defendant Thomas Etheridge allegedly fled to Sierra Leone upon learning of his arrest warrant.
Cllr. Scott noted that intelligence from regional partners confirmed that Etheridge returned to Liberia to extract his family, and was apprehended while attempting to secure passports for himself, his girlfriend, and his son. Copies of the passports were submitted as evidence.
Similarly, co-defendants Amos Kofa and John Nyanti allegedly fled the country using fake identities and were only returned to Liberia through international cooperation.
Kofa remains at large, according to prosecutors, having escaped via the Logatuo border with the aid of accomplices who helped him obtain a Laissez Passer under a false name.
Nyanti was reportedly repatriated from Ghana through a mutual legal assistance agreement.
Defendant Eric Susay is also described as a flight risk after evading law enforcement for weeks.
Bond Defects and Property Valuation Concerns
Beyond the defendants’ conduct, the prosecution also argues that the property valuation bond submitted to secure their release is materially flawed.
They claim that the bond is based on the same property as an earlier bond which was previously withdrawn after objections, and it still lacks crucial documentation such as a survey map or deed to validate the claimed value and location.
The property is allegedly worth US$6 million, but the prosecution noted a substantial unpaid tax liability of US$75,000, which, under Liberian law, disqualifies it as valid collateral for a criminal bond.
“The bond proffered by the co-defendants, which the law requires to be free of financial encumbrances, has an unpaid tax demand… and is therefore defective and unfit,” the prosecution’s filing states.
Public Safety Concerns
In a serious allegation, the Ministry of Justice also claims that the accused individuals have begun to intimidate witnesses and sources of information connected to the investigation.
Prosecutors assert that the defendants, believing they were close to being released, began issuing covert threats to prosecution sources through a wider network linked to the case.
“The prosecution deems the defendants as a danger to public or national security,” the court filing emphasized.
Prosecution’s Prayer to the Court
The Ministry of Justice is therefore requesting the court to:
Set aside and dismiss the current bail bond;
Proceed with the main criminal case;
Grant any other remedies deemed just, legal, and equitable.
Affidavit Filed to Support Motion
To reinforce the motion, an affidavit was filed by Cllr. Richard J. Scott, Jr., County Attorney for Montserrado County.
In his sworn statement before a Justice of the Peace, Cllr. Scott affirmed that the facts stated in the prosecution’s exceptions to the bond are “true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief.”
The case, which features serious charges ranging from arson and criminal conspiracy to attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms, continues to attract public attention due to the severity of the alleged crimes and the suspected escape efforts by some of the defendants.
A hearing on the prosecution’s exceptions to the bond is expected in the coming days.
This is a developing story.
