By Amos Harris
IPNEWS: The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating corruption and recovering stolen public assets.
While providing an update on indictments, court proceedings, and its priorities for 2026.
Speaking on Tuesday January 13, 2026 at the Ministry of Information (MOI) regular press briefing,
Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, said the Taskforce remains resolute in executing its mandate under Executive Order No. 145, stressing that its operations are guided by the rule of law, due process and institutional independence.
Cllr. Martin acknowledged that 2025 posed significant challenges but noted that the Taskforce made “meaningful progress” in addressing suspicious asset accumulation and economic crimes.
He thanked the Government and people of Liberia, the media and AREPT’s local and international partners for their continued support.
the AREPT Chairman disclosed that the Taskforce established working relationships with several United Kingdom based international firms, including Grant Thornton, Omnia Strategy LLP, FTI Consulting and Blake Morgan.
He said the firms are providing technical and legal support for asset recovery litigation on behalf of the Republic of Liberia.
He also highlighted a key legal development at the Supreme Court of Liberia
Where a nine-month stay order stemming from a 2024 petition filed by Gracious Ride was lifted, allowing related proceedings to advance.
According to Cllr. Martin, AREPT concluded investigations and unsealed three major indictments in 2025
While maintaining forty active cases involving alleged theft of public property and other serious acts of corruption.
The unsealed indictments include the Saudi Rice Case, which centers on the alleged mismanagement of US$500,000 worth of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Anita Group of Companies and Gracious Ride Case, involving alleged money laundering and concealment of more than US$6.7 million and L$845 million in public funds
Nothing that the MDMC and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Contract Case, involving the alleged misappropriation of US$851,136.13 from a US$1.95 million renovation contract.
The AREPT Chairman said all indictments have been served and are pending trial.
However, he noted that the cases have been affected by a stay order issued in November 2025 by Supreme Court Justice in Chambers
Her Honor Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie, following a petition filed by Madam Thelma Duncan Sawyer, a defendant named in all three indictments.
He added that an assignment has since been issued for the hearing of the MDMC/Ministry of Foreign Affairs case.
While emphasizing respect for judicial independence, Cllr. Martin expressed hope that corruption-related cases would be handled with the urgency they warrant, given their national importance.
Chairman disclosed that while most indicted individuals have been served with writs of arrest, two suspects Pamela Anita Jallah
Nothing thạt the Chief Executive Officer of the Anita Group of Companies and Nora Finda Bundoo, former Chief of Protocol remain at large.
He assured the public that lawful measures have been activated to secure their arrest and prosecution.
Cllr. Martin also addressed a recent incident in which MDMC, despite being under indictment, submitted a Christmas parcel to the Taskforce.
He said the parcel was immediately returned and described the action as a breach of ethical standards.
According to him, MDMC’s Chief Executive Officer has been issued a 72-hour ultimatum to explain the intent behind the submission.
AREPT warned that it does not accept gifts or courtesies from indicted persons or institutions and cautioned that any repeat of such conduct would trigger immediate arrest and criminal investigation.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Taskforce outlined its priorities as intensifying investigations into the forty ongoing cases, advancing prosecutions already before the courts, working toward the unsealing of additional indictments and expanding nationwide anti-corruption awareness and public education initiatives.
Cllr. Martin concluded by thanking Liberians for their patience, cooperation, and intelligence sharing, and encouraged the public to continue reporting acts of corruption and economic crimes.
He assured that all investigations would remain impartial, evidence-based and conducted strictly within the confines of the law.
