By Bill W. Cooper
The Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT) has begun investigations into 17 cases involving the alleged misappropriation of government assets, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed its legal authority to operate.
The taskforce, through its Chairperson Edwin Kla Martin, emphasized that its actions are grounded in legality and transparency, dismissing any notions that the investigations are a politically motivated witch-hunt against past or current government officials.
The announcement comes days after a significant legal victory against Gracious Ride believed to be owned by former President George Weah Protocol, Finda Bono, for the AREPT, regarding the team jurisdiction and operational mandate.
However, the Supreme Court’s ruling has since provided a clear framework for the taskforce to pursue its mission of recovering stolen assets and promoting accountability within the government.
It can be recalled that on March 6, 2024, President Joseph Boakai issued Executive Order #126 for the retrieval and recovery of national assets to restore credibility, accountability, and transparency in the governance process of Liberia.
The order establishes the Assets Recovery Task Force and an office under the Minister of State for Special Services, with the mandate to put into place the necessary legal framework for the recovery of assets wrongfully acquired by current and former government officials.
The Taskforce was also authorized to retrieve wrongfully acquired government assets, identify and trace all stolen and suspicious assets within and outside Liberia, establish an investigative panel, and constitute an effective legal, research, and investigative team to procure tangible evidence.
Its mandate was further required to initiate criminal prosecution and civil litigation on behalf of the government, return confiscated assets to Liberia upon adjudication, and place travel and other restrictions on all individuals identified as suspects while undergoing investigation for stolen and suspicious assets.
But since the President’s mandate, the team has been engulfed in a series of controversies, including the resignation of some team members due to dissatisfaction, coupled with its legal battle with Gracious Ride at the Supreme Court that stalled the operation of the team for months.
Appearing on ELBC, along with its visiting forensic experts Andrew Durant and Wayne Anthony from FTI Consulting, Cllr. Martin disclosed that probing of these cases is part of its efforts to recover misappropriated public resources.
He said, “We are grateful for the safe arrival of our forensic partners into the country. We are here to recover what rightfully belongs to the citizens of Liberia, and let it be clear that our investigations are not about targeting individuals; they are about ensuring that those who have misappropriated public funds are held accountable for their actions.”
The 17 cases under investigation spanned a range of allegations, including embezzlement, fraudulent procurement practices, and the illegal sale of state assets, as the task force is expected to focus on high-profile individuals, which has raised concerns about potential political backlash.
But Cllr. Martin assured the public that the investigations will be conducted impartially and based solely on evidence, and said, “We understand the sensitivity of these cases, and we are committed to upholding the rule of law. So, our investigations will be thorough, and we will work diligently to ensure that justice is served.”
He added that AREPT will continue to act according to the law in identifying, tracing, and recovering assets that were unlawfully taken, and emphasized, “Again, this process is legal and not a witch-hunt against any current or past officials.”
Both forensic experts, Durant and Wayne Anthony from FTI Consulting, a leading forensic accounting firm from the United Kingdom, announced that they are in Liberia to support the government’s asset recovery efforts.
On behalf of the team, FTI Consulting Senior Managing Director Andrew Durant further expressed enthusiasm about joining the fight against corruption in Liberia and assured of their commitment to bringing to book those who stole the government’s assets.
