Asset Recovery Team In Full Swing -To Resurrect 17 High-Profiled Corruption Cases
By Grace Q. Bryant
The Chairperson of the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force, Edwin Kla Martin, has announced that the team has uncovered 17 high-profile corruption cases involving former government officials.
These cases involve the alleged illegal acquisition of public assets, fraudulent financial transactions, and misuse of government resources.
The pronouncement was made during the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) Regular News Conference, where Cllr. Martin outlined the scope of corruption under investigation.
According to Martin, the cases involve a range of financial crimes, including: Illegal transfer of government funds into private accounts, fraudulent acquisition of real estate and other high-value assets and the creation of fake road construction companies used to siphon public funds
While unauthorized transfer of government vehicles to private entities, overnight changes to property deeds to conceal ownership and illegal modification of bank account titles to launder money
“The Asset Recovery Team is committed to ensuring that all stolen public resources are recovered,” Martin stated.
He further called on the public and the media to assist in identifying suspicious assets, including large equipment, unexplained wealth, and luxury properties acquired under questionable circumstances.
Cllr. Martin also emphasized that surveillance and intelligence units are actively monitoring all suspected individuals and assets.
In an effort to strengthen the investigation, the Asset Recovery Team has established partnerships with international bodies and governments, including those in the United Kingdom, Ghana, and Nigeria.
He disclosed that one of these international partners is expected to arrive in Liberia this month to assist in reviewing evidence and providing expert support.
Additionally, the team has identified offshore locations where stolen Liberian assets may have been hidden and invested.
“Investigators are working closely with international partners to apply appropriate legal measures to recover these funds,” Martin revealed.
The Team also disclosed that former officials involved in a legal dispute with Gracious Ride made several financial transfers to banks in the UAE, Ghana, and Ivory Coast during a nine-month legal battle.
Martin explained that while a stay order was placed on the operations of the Asset Recovery Team, former officials took advantage of the situation to transfer large sums of money to foreign bank accounts.
He noted that these transfers were part of an ongoing effort to evade accountability, alongside other illegal activities such as falsified documents and stolen government assets.
Despite the legal challenges posed by Gracious Ride, Cllr. Martin confirmed that the Asset Recovery Team emerged victorious in all cases, marking a win in the fight for accountability and transparency in Liberia.
He disclosed that the team is now focusing on recovering stolen assets, including cash, vehicles, and other properties.
Chairman Martin urged all current and former government officials to cooperate with the investigation and comply with any summons issued by the Asset Recovery Team.
He warned that legal action would be taken against anyone who refuses to cooperate.
“Liberia has endured significant setbacks due to corruption. This fight is about restoring accountability and ensuring that stolen state resources are returned to the people,” he expressed.
Meanwhile, the Asset Recovery Team made a public appeal for citizens to report any property criminally linked to former officials, assuring that all reports would be kept confidential.
