President Joseph Boakai has issued Executive Order # 145, amending, and renewing Executive Order # 126 to extend the mandate of the Asset Recovery Task Force for an additional year.
In a move to ensure the retrieval and reinstatement of public assets unlawfully converted for private use, President Boakai, issued Executive Order # 145 to strengthen asset recovery efforts.
The Executive Order reinforces the Government’s commitment to combating corruption, ensuring accountability, and recovering assets allegedly acquired wrongfully by former and current government officials.
Speaking on the significance of this initiative, President Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, emphasizing that “public resources must be safeguarded and returned to serve the interests of the Liberian people.”
He however urged all stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, and international partners to support this effort of the Asset Recovery Task Force as it works to uphold transparency, justice, and economic integrity in the country.
The Asset Recovery Task Force, originally established in March 2024, will continue to identify, trace, and recover fixed and liquid assets belonging to the Government of Liberia, whether located within or outside the country’s borders.
Key Highlights of Executive Order # 145 include extension of the Asset Recovery Task Force for another calendar year to complete its mandate; the Task Force will operate within the Office of the Minister of State for Special Services.
A five-member committee will oversee its operations, led by Chairman Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, with Vice Chairman Dr. Ranney B. Jackson, and members John Mulbah Gbilee, Crosby Johnson, and Atty. Suzanne A. Johnson.
The Task Force will collaborate with key government institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, General Services Agency, Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).
Additional key highlights includes, authority to investigate, prosecute, and recover assets both domestically and internationally, the ability to place travel restrictions on individuals under investigations and engage Interpol and other diplomatic channels to repatriate suspects and recovered assets and immediate allocation of funds by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for the full implementation of this mandate.