By Staff Writer
Monrovia-The Monrovia City Court on Thursday opened hearings into a high-profile Petition for Extradition brought by the Republic of Liberia against fugitive Othello Bruce, who is wanted in the United States for serious criminal offenses including statutory rape and aggravated assault.
The case was called for hearing before the presiding judge at the Temple of Justice, where the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, presented a legal team led by Solicitor General Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah. He was joined by Cllr. Jerry Garwolo, Assistant Minister for Litigation, Montserrado County Attorney Cllr. Richard Scott, Jr., Cllr. Joseph S. Sammy, Atty. Alex Hawkins S. Young, and others. The prosecution also included lawyers from the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), among them its President, Cllr. Philomena Williams.
However, defense counsel immediately objected to the inclusion of AFELL’s representation, arguing that Cllr. Williams had not been formally announced by the Ministry of Justice as an associate in the case. Cllr. James M. Kumeh, representing the defendant, maintained that only the Ministry of Justice is authorized to announce external legal representatives in criminal matters.
The Republic countered, asserting that Cllr. Kumeh lacked standing to raise the issue, as he had not formally announced his representation before the court. Additionally, the Solicitor General—who has authority to authorize legal associations—was present in court and had not objected to Cllr. Williams’ presence.
The court sided with the prosecution, striking the defense’s objection from the record and allowing the hearing to proceed. Notably, the prosecution’s legal standing was later reaffirmed by the court, following a concession that representation must follow appropriate protocol. Witness Testimony Highlights Extradition Treaty and U.S. Indictment
The state called its first witness, Cllr. Alieu M. Bility, a prosecutor in the Ministry of Justice, who provided direct testimony supporting the petition for extradition. Cllr. Bility outlined the sequence of communications from U.S. authorities to Liberia regarding the charges against Mr. Bruce. He testified that on August 19, 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia issued a diplomatic note detailing that Bruce was a fugitive indicted in Massachusetts for statutory rape involving a minor and aggravated assault.
Acting on that communication, Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs Cllr. Juddi Mowray Ahmed, referred the matter to the Ministry of Justice, which then filed the extradition petition.
Cllr. Bility emphasized that Liberia is bound by an extradition treaty signed with the United States on November 1, 1937, and brought into force on November 30, 1939. He cited Article 25 of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, which recognizes the binding nature of international treaties and contracts.
Furthermore, the witness referenced a 2007 Supreme Court opinion in the case R/L vs. Kermue et al (LRSC 23, August 10, 2007), which upheld the enforceability of the U.S.-Liberia extradition treaty. This decision overturned a prior lower court ruling by the late Judge Zota that had questioned the treaty’s validity.
Documentary Evidence Entered Cllr. Bility submitted several documents into evidence, including: A copy of the U.S. indictment from Massachusetts, The diplomatic note from the U.S. Embassy, Communication from the Foreign Ministry to the Ministry of Justice, A copy of the 1937 extradition treaty, And a Supreme Court opinion supporting the treaty’s enforceability.
Although most documents were submitted as photocopies, the court granted their admission into evidence as “P/1 in bulk,” marking them for identification and confirmation. The only original document presented was the diplomatic note; other originals were said to be with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The defense raised objections, arguing that the absence of original documents violated procedure and that no actual extradition warrant had been issued. However, the court overruled the objections, finding that the documents were properly introduced and testified to by the witness.
Proceedings Adjourned Following the conclusion of the direct examination, the prosecution rested its case with the usual reservation for redirect. The court then adjourned the matter until Monday, April 21, 2025, at 9:00 AM, for further proceedings.
The outcome of this extradition petition could have significant implications for Liberia’s international legal obligations and its ongoing cooperation with the United States on transnational criminal matters.
