Published: August 13, 2025
Temple of Justice, Monrovia — Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has ordered the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to appear and testify on the validity of a bail bond filed by property owner Patrick J. Cole in connection with an ongoing arson case.
The decision followed a prosecution request for the LRA to produce documents and clarify issues raised during cross-examination of Cole, the bond provider. Prosecutors questioned the authenticity of the property’s tax clearance and valuation records submitted to secure the bond.
“This Court says, having ruled for the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to be subpoenaed to come and testify as to the validity of the bail bond filed by the witness, [it] cannot call for final arguments now,” Judge Willie said in open court. He ordered the Clerk to issue a subpoena ad testificandum compelling the LRA to produce the relevant documents and appear on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11 a.m.
During cross-examination, prosecutors confronted Cole with LRA correspondence they said contradicted his testimony regarding tax demand notice No. 030398417 and a February 27, 2025, tax payment receipt. The defense objected, arguing that the witness was not the proper party to answer whether the LRA’s documents were authentic.
Ruling on the objection, Judge Willie sustained it in part, saying the witness could not determine whether the LRA’s records were fraudulent, as proving fraud was the prosecution’s responsibility. However, he overruled the objection insofar as the questions related to documents already introduced during testimony, noting that Cole had confirmed the receipt numbers and other details.
Prosecutors continued by asking whether Cole still affirmed that all documents attached to his bond — including the property valuation, real estate tax demand notice, and the February 27 receipt — were accurate to the best of his knowledge. The defense objected again, but the court overruled it, allowing the question.
Judge Willie deferred final arguments on the prosecution’s motion challenging the defendants’ bond until after the LRA testifies.
Defense Challenges Prosecutors’ Standing
Earlier in the August 13 hearing, defense lawyers moved to strike the prosecution’s motion, arguing that most of the government lawyers who signed it were not licensed to practice law — in violation of Rule 5 of the Rules of Court, which requires lawyers to obtain annual licenses by the second Monday in March.
County Attorney Richard Scott Jr., leading the prosecution, countered that the majority of signatories were licensed and in good standing with the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA).
In his ruling, Judge Willie said the Bar’s licensing records were inconsistent, noting that the LNBA had stated its listings would be updated as lawyers paid their fees. Given that position, he concluded the prosecution could not be penalized for alleged noncompliance.
The case continues Monday with the LRA’s appearance, a pivotal moment in determining whether the defendants’ bond will stand.
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