House Plenary Summons Asset Recovery Boss
By Grace Bryant Mollay
The House of Representatives has summoned the Chairman of the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force, Edwin Kla Martin, to appear before Plenary on Thursday, May 22, to present a comprehensive report on the entity’s achievements since its establishment.
This decision was reached during the 2nd Day Sitting of the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature, held on Thursday, 15 May.
It follows a communication from Rep. P. Mike Jury, Representative of Electoral District 1, Maryland County.
In his letter, Rep. Jury noted that the Task Force was established through Executive Order #126, issued on 5 March 2024 and later renewed on 5 March 2025 by Executive Order #145.
However, he emphasized that there has been little to no public information regarding the Task Force’s operations, mandates, or accomplishments.
“It is important for the Liberian people to know what is happening at the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force.
They deserve to know the gaps between what has gone missing, what has been recovered, and what has ultimately been returned,” Rep. Jury stated.
The Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force was established to retrieve, recover, restore, and reinstate fixed and liquid assets of the Government of Liberiaboth within and outside the countrythat have been unlawfully or illegally converted to private use by officials and employees formerly entrusted with public responsibilities.
“This entity was established over a year ago with a clear mandate, but since then, there has been limited public information on its work. It is only fair and democratic for the public to be informed about what the Task Force has discovered, what has been retrieved, and how much has been returned to the state,” he stressed.
Following the reading of the communication and a floor debate, Plenary agreedthrough a motionto invite Chairman Martin to appear before the full body on 22 May to provide detailed updates.
Chairman Martin is expected to provide answers and updates to these concerns when he appears before Plenary next Thursday.