Details Statement of ASSET RECOVERY AND PROPERTYRETRIEVAL TASK FORCEGolden Key Hotel Compound, ELWA King GrayPaynesville City, LIBERIA Tell: +231-778611836/880358205Email:liberiaassetsrecovery@gmail.com
AREPT Chairman, Cllr. Edward Kla Martin’s Statement to the Press on the Indictments Involving the “Gracious Ride” and MDMC Investigations
1. Opening
“Good morning, members of the press, and welcome to the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce – AREPT.
On behalf of AREPT, I want to thank you for being here today.
What we share today is not just another update; it is a statement of Liberia’s resolve to hold accountable anyone who abuses public trust no matter their position or connections.”
2. History of the Investigation
“Over the past months, our team at AREPT has been working tirelessly — following every lead, tracing every suspicious transaction, and collecting every document necessary to build strong legal cases.
Today, I am pleased to inform the Liberian people that two major investigations have resulted in full indictments:
(A.) Money laundering and other financial crimes committed by former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo, Pamela Anita Jallah, CEO of Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride, Francis B. Blamo, General Manager of Anita Group, Saah F. Johnson Sr., CEO of Masarco Auto Service Inc., and 40 other indictees.
(B.) Theft of property and criminal facilitation involving John S. Youboty, C.E.O. of MDMC Express Incorporated, and Thelma Duncan Sawyer, former Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
These cases are separate, but they both reveal the same troubling pattern — the use of power and influence to divert public resources for personal gain.”
3. Finda Bundoo and Others — Money Laundering Investigation
“Let me begin with the Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride investigation.
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, in March 2024, AREPT launched an investigation into the suspicious nature of several properties and vehicles associated with Gracious Ride.
As a consequence of AREPT’s inquiry, the Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride, through its Manager Francis Blamo, filed a lawsuit challenging the President’s constitutional power under Article 5(c) of the 1986 Constitution.
The former Chief Justice issued a stay order, and for nine months, AREPT could not carry out its mandate until February 18, 2025, when the Supreme Court ruled and denied the petition.
After the Supreme Court lifted AREPT’s nine-month ban, the Taskforce resumed its investigation and discovered that these companies — the Anita Group of Companies and Gracious Ride — were used as fronts to move and hide millions of U.S. and Liberian dollars in public funds.”
4. Prior to Being Chief of Protocol
“Before Madam Bundoo took public office, there were no records showing significant business holdings or major assets under her name.
However, within just a few years (2020–2023) in office, her financial activities multiplied beyond explanation.
Bank records and company filings revealed transactions and acquisitions amounting to over Six million, seven hundred thirty-one thousand, four hundred forty-one United States dollars (US$6,731,441) and eight hundred forty-five million, two hundred forty thousand, fifty-seven Liberian dollars (L$845,240,057) between 2020 and 2023.
The investigation also uncovered several high-value assets acquired by Madam Bundoo during and after her time in public office. These include multiple real estate properties located in Christopolis Community, Brewerville, valued at a collateral worth of about US$73,000; another property in Freetown Community, along Marshall Road in Margibi County, purchased in 2024 for US$137,000, consisting of twelve completed residential units; and a third property in the Rehab Community, Paynesville, acquired in 2022 for US$120,000.
In addition to these properties, between 2022 and 2023, Madam Bundoo — through her company Gracious Ride Inc. — purchased 42 Suzuki vehicles from GBK Motors at a total cost of approximately US$424,000.”
5. Charges
Based on the overwhelming evidence uncovered by investigators, former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo, Pamela Anita Jallah, CEO of Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride, Francis B. Blamo, General Manager of Anita Group, Saah F. Johnson Sr., CEO of Masarco Auto Service Inc., and 40 other indictees have been indicted for Money Laundering, Economic Sabotage, Theft of Property, Misuse of Public Funds, Criminal Conspiracy, Forgery, Abuse of Office, and Violations of the Public Procurement and Concessions Act (PPCA) and the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA).
Each count is supported by evidence gathered in full compliance with due process.”
6. The MDMC/MOFA Case
“Now, let me speak briefly about the MDMC and Ministry of Foreign Affairs indictment.
On September 12, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then represented by its Acting Minister Thelma Duncan Sawyer, entered into a civil works contract with Mr. John S. Youboty of MDMC Express Incorporated. The contract was for the renovation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and was scheduled to last for three months — from September 12 to December 31, 2023.
The investigation found that the Ministry made full payment of One million, nine hundred forty-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine United States dollars and seventy-two cents (US$1,949,999.72) to MDMC, representing 100 percent of the contract value.
During the investigation, an appraiser was carried out by an independent Architectural firm which findings revealed that no certificate of completion was ever issued, and that only about 56.35 percent of the work was actually done, valued at US$1,098,863.58.
This means that 43.65 percent of the work, valued at US$851,136.13, was not done at all, even though the company had already received full payment.
AREPT’s investigation also revealed that the money in question was part of a US$2.5M (Two million five hundred thousand United States Dollars) donation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Government of the Republic of Liberia for the renovation of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors, including the entire parking lot of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the donation of rice to disaster victims.
These findings form the basis upon which Thelma Duncan Sawyer, former Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; John S. Youboty, CEO of MDMC Express; Joseph C. Goodridge, Project Manager, MDMC; and other managers and representatives of MDMC have been indicted for the crimes of Theft of Property and Criminal Facilitation.
The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) is calling on the Government of Liberia to immediately disengage from all existing and pending contractual arrangements with the MDMC Company, which has been formally indicted for theft of property and criminal facilitation.
Let us be clear; this is not just about money, figures, or titles.
Every dollar that is stolen, every asset illegally taken, is a resource denied to our people.
That money could have built classrooms, provided medicine, improved roads, or paid civil servants. These crimes rob Liberian children of a better future and weaken the very foundation of our country.”
“Let me assure every Liberian that AREPT’s work is not political but patriotic.
We follow the evidence, and wherever that evidence leads, we go.
Our duty is to the people of Liberia and to the laws of this Republic.
These investigations take time because we are determined to get it right and to ensure that when the suspects stand trial, the evidence speaks for itself.
We ask the public to remain patient and supportive. Justice is not instant; it is built step by step through lawful, careful work.
With your continued trust, AREPT will keep exposing the misuse of public resources and bringing those responsible before the law.
These investigations demonstrate that no public official or private citizen is beyond accountability.”
“I would also like to inform you that these two indictments are only the second and third of more than twenty (40) other cases currently under investigation by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce.
In June of this year, our investigation led to the indictment of fifteen (15) past and current government officials for the theft of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was intended for disaster victims.
That case is currently before the court, and the indictees are being held to account.”
8. Closing
“Today’s indictments send a clear message that Liberia is changing course.
Those who misuse public resources will face the full weight of the law, and those who serve with honesty will be protected and respected.
And to those who still believe they are untouchable, the law will find you.
Thank you, and may God bless the Republic of Liberia.”
