The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force has officially closed its investigation into Gracious Ride and several other individuals who were similarly summoned for questioning. Authorities are now shifting focus to individuals and businesses that conducted dealings with the company.
By: Kruah Thompson
Monrovia, April 18, 2025: In an official communication dated Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Task Force informed former Presidential Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Nora Finda Bundoo, of an ongoing probe into alleged acts of conflict of interest, theft of property, misapplication of public funds, economic sabotage, and money laundering.
These allegations stem from her alleged involvement with the Anita Group of Companies and its subsidiary, Gracious Ride, which the Task Force claims was acquired using illicit means.
After nearly 12 months of court proceedings, the Task Force was directed to continue its investigation. Just days after the court’s decision, and through an official communication on April 15, Ambassador Bundoo was once again invited for questioning.
According to the invitation, Ms. Bundoo is believed to have affixed her name, signature, and official identity to corporate documents related to the companies under investigation. These actions allegedly occurred during her tenure at the Executive Mansion under former President George Weah.
However, on Wednesday, Amb. Bundoo told The New Dawn that the Asset Recovery team has not acted neutrally, describing the investigation as part of a politically motivated smear campaign aimed at damaging her reputation. As a result, she declined the Task Force’s invitation.
In response, Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando on Thursday at MICAT regular press briefing, informed the public that the case involving the former Chief of Protocol and other similarly summoned individuals has been closed, based on the official communication previously mentioned, but continues that investigations continue into other persons of interest linked to the Anita Group of Companies.
Minister Sando further explained that the refusal of Bundoo’s legal team to allow her to appear before the Task Force left the body with no alternative but to invoke Article 21 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, along with Sections 2.1 and 2.3 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia.
He revealed that one of the cases has already been completed, and the Task Force is prepared to proceed in accordance with Liberian law.
Regarding the Gracious Ride case, Minister Sando disclosed that the former Chief of Protocol opted not to participate in the investigation.
He stated that the refusal by her legal team to allow her to appear before the Task Force has left the body with no option but to invoke Article 21 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia and Sections 2.1 and 2.3 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia.
Speaking on behalf of the Task Force, Minister Sando also confirmed that the case involving the former Chief of Protocol and other individuals previously summoned has been officially closed, based on the communication mentioned earlier.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the investigations continue into other persons of interest connected to the Anita Group of Companies. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
