Matilda Parker 1.2 million Dollars Bond Challenged

Former NPA MD Matilda Parker Pic:www.frontpageafrica.com

The Government prosecutors have challenged the validity of the US$1.2 million criminal appearance bond filed on behalf of the suspended Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) and her Comptroller by Family Dollar Universal Insurance Service (FDUIS).

The Government of Liberia recently indicted Matilda Parker and her Comptroller, Christiania Kpabar, along with Deneah M. Flomo of the Denear Enterprise for economic sabotage, theft of property and criminal conspiracy.

The prosecuters led by the Solicitor-General of Liberia, Cllr. Betty Lamin-Blamo, filed the exception to the criminal appearance bond for the defendants, and prayed the court to set it aside on grounds of gross insufficiency.

The prosecutors said the entire bond does not conform to the requirements of law, and therefore, requested the court to incarcerate the defendants at the Monrovia Central Prison, until the bond was made sufficient to secure their appearance in court.

Cllr. Lamin-Blamo argued that an insurance company standing as surety of a defendant, must have evidence of assets to commensurate with the amount charged in the writ of arrest or in the indictment.

The Solicitor General cited the Supreme Court of Liberia, case: Margaret E. Robertson et al v. Quiah Brother, et al, which states “For a bail bond to be sufficient, the surety must show evidence, such as certificate or other legal instruments from an appropriate legal authority, such as the Central Bank of Liberia, or other insurance authority , or similar government entity having regulatory responsibilities for insurance companies, that the insurance company possesses assets within the Republic of Liberia, sufficient to cover the obligation undertaken by the insurance company in the bond. Exclusive of other bonds to which it is already serving as surety, commensurate with the amount stated in the bond.”

Prosecutors contended that FDUIS has not shown any evidence or any legal authority that it possesses assets within the Republic of Liberia sufficient enough to cover the obligation being undertaken.

“There is no statement of account attached evidencing FDUIS’ ability to underwrite its obligation under the said bail bond. There is also no evidence of any other assets of FDUIS,” Cllr. Lamin-Blamo said.