IPNEWS: The Supreme Court of Liberia has ordered a temporary halt to the much anticipated trial of those linked in the alledged misapplication of the Saudi doated Rice saga.
Justice-in-Chambers, Her Honor Justice Jamesetta H. Wolokollie in her writ of prohibition in response to a petition filed by Co-Defendant Thelma Duncan Sawyer and her legal team.
Associate Justice in Chambers Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, writ of prohibition, now temporarily halted all proceedings in the Saudi donated rice case at Criminal Court “C”, pending a conference scheduled for December 2, 2025, to deliberate further on the matter.
The case involves allegations that former government officials and others misappropriated over 25,000 bags of humanitarian rice aid, valued at approximately US$500,000, which was intended for disaster victims in Liberia.
The Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), which is prosecuting the case, has confirmed the temporary stay but vowed to continue its pursuit of justice, emphasizing that the delay will not deter their mandate to recover stolen government assets.
The legal maneuver comes just days before trial proceedings were set to begin on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Criminal Court ‘C’.
Minutes after the writ of Prohibition was issued, the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) voiced disappointment f in the high-profile US$500,000 Saudi Rice Case.
AREPT, which leads the government’s efforts to recover stolen and misused public assets, said it had finalized all trial preparations, including securing witnesses and compiling evidentiary materials. The Taskforce has accused several individuals of misappropriating rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, intended for disaster victims in Liberia.
The writ effectively suspends all court proceedings until a Supreme Court conference scheduled for December 2, 2025.
Despite the setback, AREPT reaffirmed its commitment to justice, transparency, and accountability. In a public statement, the Taskforce assured citizens that the Saudi Rice Case—and other corruption-related prosecutions—will resume once legal barriers are resolved.
The Taskforce also disclosed that investigations continue into other current and former public officials suspected of theft of public property and unexplained asset accumulation.
Last Thursday , Liberia’s Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has announced sweeping indictments against former government officials and private sector executives, including former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo and former Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thelma Duncan Sawyer, in connection with two major corruption investigations — the Gracious Ride money laundering case and the MDMC contract scandal.
The indictments were unveiled by Cllr. Edward Kla Martin, Chairman of AREPT, during the Ministry of Information regular press briefing in Monrovia. He described the development as a “defining moment in Liberia’s fight against corruption and abuse of public office.”
“What we share today is not just another update,” Cllr. Martin told reporters. “It is a statement of Liberia’s resolve to hold accountable anyone who abuses public trust, no matter their position or connections.”
The first case centers on former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo, who, according to AREPT’s findings, orchestrated a massive money laundering operation through the Anita Group of Companies and Gracious Ride Inc. — businesses allegedly used to conceal millions in public funds.
Cllr. Martin revealed that in March 2024, AREPT launched an investigation into the suspicious ownership of several properties and vehicles linked to Gracious Ride and its affiliates.
“During the investigation, we uncovered alarming financial irregularities involving multiple accounts, real estate transactions, and luxury vehicle acquisitions,” Martin said. “Our findings revealed that these companies were used as fronts to move and hide millions of U.S. and Liberian dollars in public funds.”
He added that the probe initially faced legal obstacles when the Anita Group, through its manager Francis Blamo, filed a lawsuit challenging the President’s constitutional power under Article 5(c). However, after a nine-month stay order was lifted by the Supreme Court on February 18, 2025, AREPT resumed its investigation.
“Before Madam Bundoo took public office, there were no records showing significant business holdings or major assets under her name,” Cllr. Martin explained. “But within just a few years in office, her financial activities multiplied beyond explanation.”
Bank records and company filings, he said, revealed transactions and acquisitions amounting to US$6,731,441 and L$845,240,057 between 2020 and 2023 — funds that investigators believe were illegally obtained.
The investigation also unearthed multiple high-value real estate properties owned by Bundoo, including one in Christopolis Community, Brewerville valued at US$73,000, another in Freetown Community, Marshall Road, Margibi County purchased in 2024 for US$137,000, and a third in Rehab Community, Paynesville, bought in 2022 for US$120,000.
Between 2022 and 2023, Bundoo’s company, Gracious Ride Inc., also purchased 42 Suzuki vehicles from GBK Motors at a total cost of US$424,000.
“These acquisitions, combined with the volume of unexplained transactions, provide overwhelming evidence of money laundering and the misuse of public funds,” Martin declared.
Based on the findings, the former Chief of Protocol, Pamela Anita Jallah (CEO of Anita Group/Gracious Ride), Francis B. Blamo (General Manager of Anita Group), Saah F. Johnson Sr. (CEO of Masarco Auto Service Inc.), and 40 others have been indicted for Money Laundering, Economic Sabotage, Theft of Property, Misuse of Public Funds, Criminal Conspiracy, Forgery, and Abuse of Office, in violation of the Public Procurement and Concessions Act (PPCA) and the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA).
The second major case, according to Cllr. Martin, involves Thelma Duncan Sawyer, former Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and John S. Youboty, CEO of MDMC Express Incorporated, who have been indicted for Theft of Property and Criminal Facilitation.
Martin detailed that on September 12, 2023, MOFA, represented by Acting Minister Sawyer, signed a US$1.95 million contract with MDMC Express for renovation works on the Ministry’s building — a project funded through a US$2.5 million donation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The contract was expected to be completed within three months, from September 12 to December 31, 2023. However, AREPT’s investigation revealed that only 56.35 percent of the work was actually completed, valued at US$1,098,863.58, even though MDMC received the entire contract amount upfront.
“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,” Martin emphasized.
An independent appraisal conducted by an architectural firm confirmed that no certificate of completion was ever issued for the project.
“These findings form the basis upon which Thelma Duncan Sawyer, MDMC CEO John S. Youboty, Project Manager Joseph C. Goodridge, and other MDMC representatives have been indicted,” Martin said.
He further called on the government to immediately disengage from all existing and pending contractual arrangements with MDMC, declaring the company “formally indicted and unfit for further engagement.”
“Let us be clear — this is not just about money, figures, or titles,” Martin stressed. “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.”
n response to growing public attention, Cllr. Martin dismissed any notion that the Taskforce’s work is politically motivated, emphasizing that AREPT operates solely on evidence and the rule of law.
“Our work is not political but patriotic,” he said firmly. “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.”
Martin noted that investigations of this magnitude take time, adding that AREPT is committed to ensuring that when suspects face trial, “the evidence speaks for itself.”
He also disclosed that the Gracious Ride and MDMC cases represent only two of more than 40 other corruption cases currently under investigation by AREPT. Earlier this year, he said, the Taskforce indicted 15 current and former officials for the alleged theft of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for disaster victims — a case now before the courts.
Concluding his remarks, Cllr. Martin said the indictments send a strong message that Liberia is moving toward a new era of accountability and integrity in public service.
“Today’s indictments send a clear message that Liberia is changing course,” he declared. “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.”
He ended with a call for continued public support in the fight against corruption.
“Justice is not instant; it is built step by step through lawful, careful work,” he said. “With your continued trust, AREPT will keep exposing the misuse of public resources and bringing those responsible before the law. No one is above accountability.”
