02/09/2026
Judge Feika Scrutinizes US$8M Bail Bond, Orders Nora Bundoo to Augment Surety Within 30 Days
Monrovia – The first judicial circuit, Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has given former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo 30 days to remedy deficiencies in her US$8 million criminal appearance bond, while ordering the seizure of her passport and all travel documents pending the conclusion of her money laundering trial.
In a closely watched ruling delivered Monday at the Temple of Justice, Judge Feika rejected the prosecution’s request to revoke Bundoo’s bail and return her to prison, but also declined the defense’s request for unconditional approval of the bond. Instead, the court found that one of the two insurance companies serving as corporate sureties had insufficient unencumbered assets to fully support the bond.
After examining the financial standing of American Underwriters Group International Insurance Company (AUG) and Accident & Casualty Insurance Company (ACICO), the court ruled that AUG’s portion of the bond was inadequate because the company had already pledged substantial assets to secure criminal appearance bonds in other pending cases.
The court held that while AUG remains licensed by the Central Bank of Liberia to issue surety bonds, its existing obligations significantly reduce the value of assets available to guarantee Bundoo’s bond.
Judge Feika ordered the defense to supplement the shortfall with additional verifiable collateral within 30 days. He ruled that once the required collateral is filed and verified, the bond will be approved in accordance with the law.
To ensure Bundoo's continued appearance before the court, Judge Feika further ordered that all of her passports and travel documents remain in the custody of the court until the case is concluded.
The ruling is being viewed by legal observers as a significant development in Liberia’s criminal justice system, as it signals greater judicial scrutiny of corporate sureties and their total exposure to criminal appearance bonds filed across multiple courts.
According to legal analysts, the decision establishes an important precedent by requiring courts to assess not only the face value of a corporate bond but also the insurer’s remaining unencumbered assets after accounting for liabilities arising from other active bonds.
While the prosecution succeeded in persuading the court that part of the bond was legally insufficient, Bundoo's legal team avoided a more severe outcome, as the court stopped short of revoking the bond or ordering her immediate incarceration.
Bundoo remains on conditional liberty while standing trial on charges including money laundering, theft of property and misuse of public money. The court's order effectively bars her from leaving Liberia until the matter is finally adjudicated.
By Staff Writer Monrovia – The first judicial circuit, Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has given former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo 30 days to remedy deficiencies in her US$8 million criminal appearance bond, while ordering the seizure of her passport and all...
