26/06/2025
PEOPLE's TV News
Monrovia Liberia
Former Speaker Koffa and Other Defendants Victorious as Court Rules Bail Bond Sufficient for Release
People's TV Monrovia, Liberia - Former Speaker J Fonati Koffa and his co-defendants have emerged victorious as a court ruled that their bail bond was sufficient for their release.
The court denied the prosecution's request to set aside, and to rearrest the defendants, stating that their bail are sufficient under the law.
The court's decision now paves the way for the defendants to be released from custody as they await their trial.
Magistrate Barco noted that the defendants are all public servants currently serving as Representatives at the Legislature.
He acknowledged that the 1986 Constitution of Liberia stipulates that "a person accused of a crime which is not a capital offense or a grave offense as defined by law has the right to be released on bail upon his or her own personal recognizance."
Magistrate Barco pointed out that the sureties are authorized by law to serve as sureties on a criminal appearance bond; noting that the bond before the Court was not an indemnity bond, and coupled with the fact that the defendants are all members of the House of Representatives.
Magistrate Barco underscores the importance of considering the facts and relevant laws in the case at hand, the Defendants made efforts to justify their surety bond by calling witness Jonda Janet Koffa to the stand, Jonda attested that she and her sister, Marjan Mona Koffa, co-own, of the properties being used as collateral for the bond.
Despite Marjan's absence from the country, she purportedly gave her consent for the properties to be used as surety through an affidavit magistrate Barco added.
He therefore quoted Chapter 63.3 of the Civil Procedure Law, which states, a surety bond must be accompanied by an affidavit of surety containing specific information, noting that Jonda and Marjan fulfilled these requirements by asserting ownership of the properties, providing property descriptions, detailing any outstanding taxes or encumbrances, and stating the assessed value of the properties.
This information was further supported by the presentation of five property deeds registered in their names.
Overall, Jonda and Marjan have met the legal standards for providing surety, as outlined in the relevant law Magistrate Barco pointed out.
Magistrate Barco also denied the exception to the Criminal Appearance Bond filed by the Prosecution.
Following the Magistrate's ruling, he instructed the clerk to send the Court minutes to the 1st Judicial Circuit, Criminal Court "A," to notify the Judge of the Court's decision.
