Former President Weah's Chief of Protocol Rejects Asset Recovery Task Force Subpoena, Demand Prosecution
Monrovia, Liberia: Tension is said to be brewing between former President George M. Weah, ex-Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundo, and the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force over the task force's invitation for questioning regarding corruption allegations.
Through their legal counsel, she has declined to appear before the task force; instead, Madam Bundoo entreats the task force to indict her if they have evidence to prove the allegation of corruption.
In a communication dated April 16, 2025, Cllr. Abraham Wade Simpson, representing Madam Bundoo, questioned the legitimacy and fairness of the task force’s investigation process.
The letter, addressed to Task Force Chairman Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, expressed concern that the task force had already reached conclusions on the alleged guilt of the two individuals, potentially compromising their right to a fair hearing.
The task force had requested that Bundoo appear at the Golden Key Hotel on Thursday, April 17, 2025, citing alleged incriminating evidence in the possession of the task force.
However, Cllr. Simpson described the task force’s action as inappropriate while stressing that justice is best served in a courtroom where proper legal procedures can be followed.
Cllr. Sampson based his objection to the task force action on Article 21 of the Liberia 1986 Constitution and Sections 2.1 and 2.3 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which guarantee the rights of individuals to due process and protection from arbitrary treatment.
Cllr. Simpson clearly stated that the decision not to appear was not a refusal to cooperate with justice but a commitment to ensuring that all proceedings are conducted lawfully and transparently.
As it stands, Bundoo has refused to meet the task force as requested but affirmed their willingness to respond to the allegations of corruption in a court of competent jurisdiction.
The ongoing development highlights growing concerns over how investigative bodies operate in high-profile cases.
Legal experts say the clash reflects a broader tension between administrative task forces and the judiciary, with calls mounting for greater legal oversight.
As this matter unfolds, it may set a precedent for how future investigations involving powerful figures are handled—raising questions about due process, accountability, and the separation of powers.
AREPT has summoned Madam Nora Finda Bundoo, former Chief of Protocol to ex-President George Weah, for questioning in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged acts of corruption and economic crimes.
According to an April 14, 2025 communication, Madam Bundoo is being investigated for her alleged role in a series of transactions involving the Anita Group of Companies and its transport subsidiary, Gracious Ride.
She was expected to appear before the Task Force on Thursday, April 17, at 2:30 PM at its headquarters in the Golden Key Compound, ELWA King Gray in Paynesville City.
AREPT believes the assets in question may have been obtained unlawfully using public resources, prompting enforcement under Executive Order No. 145, which reaffirms Executive Order No. 126.
The probe into Bundoo’s transaction during her tenure as Chief of Protocol to former President Weah comes after the Supreme Court of Liberia, on January 14, 2025, quashed a request filed by Gracious Ride contesting the legality of the task force.
In the petition, Gracious Ride contended that the task force was unconstitutional since it was not established by an act of legislature.
But delivering the court’s opinion, Justice-in-Chambers Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie stated that Gracious Ride could not assert constitutional claims on behalf of third parties and failed to prove that Executive Order No. 126 violated any constitutional provision.
Justice Wolokolie said, “The petition praying for an order of this court declaring Executive Order 126 unconstitutional is hereby denied, and it is HEREBY SO ORDERED.”
The Supreme Court’s ruling on Gracious Ride’s petition subsequently lifted a nine-month ban that had paused AREPT’s operations, paving the way for the resumption of its mandate.
The petition had been filed by Gracious Ride through its legal team, Cllr. Michael Wilkins Wright and Cllr. Abraham Zayzay.
The petitioner’s lawyers argued that the executive order created an entity that duplicated the functions of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), which they said was the only body legally authorized to investigate corruption-related issues.
However, the government, represented by Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, countered that the president acted within his constitutional powers under Article 50 of the 1986 Constitution, which vests executive authority in the presidency.
Cllr. Martins maintained that the creation of AREPT did not infringe on any constitutional provisions and that the petitioner had no legal basis to challenge the executive order.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, AREPT issued a statement welcoming the decision and reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts.
“The Task Force has over the period of nine months complied with the Supreme Court stay order in obedience to the rule of law,” AREPT noted. “With a ruling now in favor of AREPT, it has settled the legality and legitimacy of Executive Order No. 126 in consonance with Article 5c of the Constitution.”
Cllr. Martin, a former chairman of the LACC under the Weah administration, emphasized that the task force will operate within the bounds of the law and due process. He also urged individuals summoned by AREPT to respect the rule of law and cooperate fully with the investigation.
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