Monrovia, Liberia– In a newly released report to the National Legislature, Liberia’s Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has revealed major strides in its mission to trace and recover stolen public assets, despite operating under significant legal and logistical constraints.
Formed by Executive Order No. 126 in March 2024 and later reauthorized under Executive Order No. 145 in March 2025, AREPT is tasked with investigating grand corruption, tracing illicit public wealth, and recovering stolen government properties.
According to the report submitted by Chairperson Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, AREPT has completed five months of effective operations, during which it initiated 27 corruption-related investigations and documented over 30 properties suspected to be tied to illegally acquired wealth.
Seventeen cases are nearing legal action, and cooperation has been secured with both local and international partners.
“We are working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Justice, international forensic experts, and even foreign governments to ensure no stolen dollar goes untraced,” said Martin.
One notable highlight includes Sweden’s pledge to assist in recovering Liberian assets reportedly hidden there.
Despite this progress, the Taskforce warned of several key obstacles.
A major legal barrier is the current five-year statute of limitations on prosecuting corruption, enshrined in Section 4.2 of the Penal Law.
AREPT is calling on lawmakers to amend the law, arguing that it undermines accountability and allows perpetrators to escape justice simply due to the passage of time.
“Liberia cannot afford to let time protect corruption. We must ensure that justice has no expiration date,” the report states.
Funding and logistics are also pressing concerns.
AREPT reports operating under severe financial constraints, with limited resources for transportation, data access, and fieldwork.
The Taskforce is requesting inclusion in the recast national budget to scale up its investigations and recovery operations.
Additionally, the agency is seeking support for civic education initiatives to address public misconceptions and build trust in the recovery process.
The report concludes with a strong appeal to lawmakers: “Asset recovery is not just a matter of law enforcement-it is a vital development strategy. Every dollar we recover can build schools, repair hospitals, and restore hope.”
As Liberia continues to confront the deep scars of systemic corruption, the coming months may determine whether the Taskforce’s early momentum can be sustained with the legislative and financial backing it needs.
