MONROVIA – The Chairman of the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, has reaffirmed the government’s determination to pursue stolen public assets, declaring that the Taskforce remains resolute in confronting corruption despite legal delays and resistance from indicted parties.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular Tuesday, January 13, 2026, press briefing, Cllr. Martin said AREPT’s mandate under Executive Order No. 145 remains intact and uncompromised, stressing that the Taskforce continues to operate independently and in strict adherence to due process and the rule of law. He described 2025 as a challenging year but one that produced measurable progress in asset tracing and recovery efforts.
Cllr. Martin disclosed that AREPT strengthened its international litigation capacity by establishing working relationships with United Kingdom–based firms including Grant Thornton, Omnia Strategy LLP, FTI Consulting, and Blake Morgan. He said these partnerships are supporting asset recovery litigation on behalf of the Republic of Liberia in coordination with the Taskforce.
Highlighting a key legal development, the AREPT Chairman confirmed that a nine-month stay order issued in 2024 was lifted by the Supreme Court of Liberia following a petition filed by Gracious Ride. He described the ruling as a significant milestone that cleared the way for stalled proceedings linked to major corruption investigations.
According to Cllr. Martin, AREPT has completed investigations and unsealed three major indictments while keeping forty additional cases under active investigation involving theft of public property and other serious economic crimes. He said the Taskforce remains focused on converting investigations into court action.
The unsealed indictments include the Saudi Rice Case, involving 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, which centers on alleged money laundering and concealment of more than US$6.7 million and L$845 million in public funds; and 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.
On the status of the cases, Cllr. Martin stated that all indictments have been served and are now pending trial. He noted that January marks three months since a stay order was issued in November 2025 by Supreme Court Justice in Chambers, Her Honor Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie, following a petition by Madam Thelma Duncan Sawyer, a defendant in all three cases. He confirmed that an assignment has now been issued for the hearing of the MDMC and Ministry of Foreign Affairs case.
Addressing public concern over unarrested defendants, the AREPT Chairman revealed that while most accused persons have been served with indictments and writs of arrest, Pamela Anita Jallah, CEO of the Anita Group of Companies, and Nora Finda Bundoo, former Chief of Protocol, remain at large. He assured that lawful mechanisms have been activated to secure their arrest and prosecution.
Cllr. Martin also condemned what he described as an unethical attempt by MDMC to submit a Christmas parcel to AREPT while under indictment. He said the parcel was immediately returned and described the act as unacceptable, adding that MDMC’s CEO has been issued a 72-hour ultimatum to explain the intent behind the submission. He warned that any future attempt by indicted persons or institutions to offer gifts would result in immediate arrest and criminal investigation.
Looking ahead, the AREPT Chairman outlined the Taskforce’s 2026 priorities, including deepening investigations into the forty active cases, accelerating prosecution of matters already before the courts, unsealing additional indictments, and expanding nationwide anti-corruption awareness efforts. He concluded by urging the public to continue reporting corruption, assuring that all investigations will remain impartial, evidence-based, and firmly grounded in law.
