The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue stolen public assets and combat corruption, while providing updates on major indictments, court proceedings, and its priorities for 2026.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information’s regular Tuesday Press Briefing, AREPT Chairman, Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, said the Taskforce remains steadfast in carrying out its mandate under Executive Order No. 145, operating independently and in full compliance with the rule of law and due process.
Cllr. Martin expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Liberia, the media, and both local and international partners for their support, noting that although 2025 presented significant challenges, the Taskforce made notable strides in confronting illicit asset accumulation and economic crimes.
Reviewing AREPT’s 2025 activities, the Chairman disclosed that the Taskforce established strategic working relationships with several United Kingdom–based firms, including Grant Thornton, Omnia Strategy LLP, FTI Consulting, and Blake Morgan.
These partnerships, he said, are supporting asset recovery litigation on behalf of the Republic of Liberia.
He also highlighted a key legal breakthrough at the Supreme Court of Liberia, which lifted a nine-month stay order stemming from a petition filed in 2024 by Gracious Ride, allowing proceedings to move forward.
According to Cllr. Martin, AREPT completed investigations and unsealed three major indictments during the year, while continuing active investigations into forty other cases involving alleged theft of public property and corruption-related offenses.
The unsealed indictments include the Saudi Rice Case, involving the alleged mismanagement of US$500,000 worth of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride Case, which involves alleged money laundering and concealment of more than US$6.7 million and L$845 million in public funds; and the MDMC/Ministry of Foreign Affairs Contract Case, concerning the alleged misappropriation of US$851,136.13 from a US$1.95 million renovation contract.
On the status of the cases, the AREPT Chairman explained that all indictments have been served and are awaiting trial.
He noted that a stay order issued in November 2025 by Supreme Court Justice in Chambers, Her Honor Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie, followed a petition filed by Madam Thelma Duncan Sawyer, a defendant in the three cases.
An assignment has since been issued for the hearing of the MDMC/MOFA case. While respecting judicial independence, Cllr. Martin expressed hope that corruption-related matters would receive timely attention.
Addressing concerns about defendants yet to be arrested, he stated that most accused persons have been served with indictments and writs of arrest.
However, Pamela Anita Jallah, CEO of the Anita Group of Companies, and Nora Finda Bundoo, former Chief of Protocol, remain at large. He assured the public that legal processes are underway to secure their arrest.
Cllr. Martin also condemned a recent incident in which MDMC submitted a Christmas parcel to AREPT despite being under indictment.
He said the parcel was immediately returned and described the act as unethical.
According to him, MDMC’s CEO has been given a 72-hour ultimatum to explain the action, warning that AREPT does not accept gifts or favors from indicted individuals or institutions.
Looking ahead, the Taskforce outlined its 2026 agenda, which includes intensifying investigations into ongoing cases, pushing forward prosecutions already before the courts, working toward the unsealing of additional indictments, and expanding nationwide public awareness on corruption.
AREPT thanked the Liberian public for its cooperation and intelligence sharing, and encouraged citizens to continue reporting corruption and economic crimes, assuring that all investigations will remain impartial, evidence-driven, and strictly within the law.
