MONROVIA, LIBERIA-About seven indicted officials of the current administration of the Government of Liberia have finally surrendered themselves to Criminal Court ‘C’ to face criminal prosecution.
The indictees are Arthur Massaquoi, former Director General, Matthew Kotio, Comptroller, Kathinal Mitchell, Varlee Sander, Isaac Kporkulah, Jessephen Yah Dahn, and Mohammed Fofana, all of the Bureau of State Enterprises.
They are among other public officials who were indicted by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County for allegedly stealing separate amounts, ranging from seventy-five thousand US dollars to half millions Liberian dollars.
The indictees, according to the ELBC Judicial Reporter, proffered a property bond for one hundred seventy-five thousand USD, which prevented their incarceration at the Monrovia Central Prison.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Chief Prosecutor, Cllr. Bobby Livingstone, whose institution is prosecuting these officials, needs three days to challenge the legal sufficiency of the indictees’ bond, as provided by law.
ELBC Judicial Reporter said,” Prior to the defendants being under the jurisdiction of the Court, Judge Ousman Feika placed a traveling ban on them leaving the bailiwick of the country”.
In another development, the National Security Agency (NSA) Agent, Peter Bonn Jallah, who is currently in detention at the Monrovia Central Prison, is seeking a preliminary examination at Criminal Court ‘E’.
Preliminary examination, according to the ELBC Judicial Reporter, is a special proceeding that seeks to compel prosecuting lawyers to establish probable cause leading to the offenses against the defendant, consistent with Chapter 12, Section 12.2 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia.
Suspect Jallah’s lawyer, Cllr. Wiefueh Sayeh’s request claimed that since his client was arrested on January 12, 2026, and subsequently detained, he has yet to appear in court to plead to his alleged crimes.
He further said,” We have not been allowed to see the evidence upon which the state relies to charge my client with the alleged commission of such a grievous offense”.
Cllr. Sayeh revealed that, legally, they did not have the opportunity to request a preliminary examination at the level of the Magisterial Court, because the court lacks jurisdiction over sexual offense matters.
Suspect Jallah’s lawyer maintained that Criminal Court ‘E’ is the right forum to hear and determine such an application consistent with the law.
ELBC Judicial Reporter said,” Judge Golda Bonah-Elliott, assigned Judge at Criminal Court ‘E’ is expected to assign the matter for hearing in a couple of days for determination”.
Suspect Peter Bonn Jallah was arrested recently by police officers for sexually abusing a fourteen-year-old boy and was charged with gang rape and kidnapping.
Still at the judiciary, Criminal Court ‘A’ has subpoenaed the management of Clar Hope Foundation to appear on Friday, January 23, at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
A subpoena is an order issued by the court, requiring you to appear at a certain time, place, or date, to testify about a particular case or issue.
The writ, according to our Judicial Reporter, has compelled the general manager, deputies, and all acting under the authorities of Clar Hope Foundation to produce copies of funds received from individuals and institutions, and those making donations for its construction.
The Court also asked that the amount contributed and presented, their location, telephone numbers, and addresses.
The Court follows an inquiry by the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force, which is examining the source of financing for the project.
It also seeks to establish whether the funds used were properly accounted for in keeping with legal and ethical standards.
The Clar Hope Foundation, situated in Marshall City, a multi-purpose complex operated by former First Lady Clar Weah, is a facility intended to support community and social development initiatives.