Eight defendants facing serious criminal charges linked to the December 2023 arson attack on Liberia’s Capitol Building have withdrawn their previously submitted bail bond, amid strong opposition from state prosecutors who raised concerns about potential flight risk.
The accused, Thomas Kivi Bah (alias Kaba), Jerry Pokah (alias Tyrese), Stephen M. Broh, John Nyanti, Christian Kofa, Amos Kofa, Eric Susay, and Thomas Etheridge, are facing a range of grave charges including arson, attempted murder, criminal mischief, conspiracy, and other offenses connected to the alleged violent attack on a major government institution.
In a formal letter to the Clerk of Criminal Court “A”, defense lawyer Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi announced the withdrawal of the criminal appearance bond, clarifying that the action was taken “without prejudice,” thereby keeping the door open for a future refiling.
“Upon receipt of this Notice of Withdrawal, you will please spread on the minutes of this Honorable Court… that the Defendants have… withdrawn the Criminal Appearance Bond… with the right to refile,” the defense stated in its filing.
The withdrawal follows a strong legal challenge mounted by the Ministry of Justice, which objected to the bond’s approval by Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, citing serious procedural lapses and national security concerns.
According to court documents, prosecutors argued that the bond was insufficient and lacked legal merit, particularly in light of the defendants’ alleged prior attempts to flee the country. The state pointed out that Thomas Etheridge and others had left Liberia during the investigation phase, allegedly using false identities to enter neighboring Sierra Leone and Ghana.
“When the Government of Liberia began working with authorities in Sierra Leone and Ghana to bring them back, Etheridge was reportedly en route to Liberia to secure travel documents for his family,” prosecutors noted. “His actions validate intelligence reports that he intended to flee again.”
Another critical issue raised by prosecutors was the property used to secure the bond. While the bond referenced a property in the Virginia, Tire Shop Community, supported by a US$4,500 tax receipt, the Liberia Revenue Authority revealed that the property was in arrears of US$10,500, a direct violation of bond requirements, which demand that such properties be fully paid for, free of encumbrances, and owned outright.
The state also questioned the sufficiency of the surety’s financial capacity and the broader implications of granting bail to individuals charged with crimes that threaten public safety.
Additionally, prosecutors flagged that two other defendants, Karpeh and Fansleh, remain at large, and thus argued it was inappropriate for a bond to be applied to persons not under the court’s jurisdiction.
“This bond lacks any guarantee that the defendants will remain in the country to face trial, posing a serious national security concern,” the state maintained. “A valid bail bond must ensure the fulfillment of all conditions.”
The prosecution also challenged the legitimacy of the property valuation report submitted by the defense, calling it outdated and unauthenticated. The report, prepared in 2013 by Caesar Architects Inc., was neither notarized nor approved by any court and failed to consider depreciation, rendering it unfit for use in securing the bond.
Facing mounting legal pressure and procedural questions, the defense team chose to pull the bond before the court could formally rule on the state’s objections. Legal observers believe this move was a calculated step to revise and strengthen their submission in the near future.
Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie is expected to reconvene hearings soon to determine the next course of action, including whether a revised bond will be entertained or if the accused will continue to be held in pretrial detention.
Source: FPA
