By Godgift Harris
The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), has recommitted to combat corruption and recover stolen public assets.
The Taskforce made the disclosure while providing an update on indictments, court proceedings, and its priorities for 2026.
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, Edwin Kla Martin said, the Taskforce remains resolute in executing its mandate under Executive Order No. 145.
Martin said AREPT operations are guided by the rule of law, due process and institutional independence.
Cllr. Martin acknowledged that 2025 posed significant challenges, but noted that the Taskforce made “meaningful progress” in addressing suspicious asset accumulation and economic crimes.
He thanked the government and people of Liberia, the media and AREPT’s local and international partners for their continued support.
Martin disclosed that the Taskforce established working relationships with several United Kingdom based international firms, including Grant Thornton, Omnia Strategy LLP, FTI Consulting and Blake Morgan.
He said the firms are providing technical and legal support for asset recovery litigation on behalf of Liberia.
He also highlighted a key legal development at the Supreme Court where a nine-month stay order stemming from a 2024 petition filed by Gracious Ride was lifted, allowing related proceedings to advance.
Martin spoke of how AREPT investigations unsealed three major indictments in 2025,
while maintaining 40 active cases involving alleged theft of public property and other serious acts of corruption.
The unsealed indictments include the Saudi Rice Case, which centers on 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, involving alleged money laundering and concealment of more than US$6.7 million and L$845 million in public funds.
Martin said 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 are yet to be disposed of from the docket.
He said all indictments have been served and are pending trial.
However, he noted that the cases have been affected by a stay order issued in November, 2025 by Supreme Court Justice in Chambers, Her Honor Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie, following a petition filed by Madam Thelma Duncan Sawyer, a defendant named in all three indictments.
He added that an assignment has since been issued for the hearing of the MDMC/Ministry of Foreign Affairs case.
While speaking of respect for judicial independence, Cllr. Martin expressed hope that corruption-related cases would be handled with the urgency they warrant, given their national importance.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Taskforce outlined its priorities as intensifying investigations into the 40 ongoing cases, advancing prosecutions already before the courts, working toward the unsealing of additional indictments and expanding nationwide anti-corruption awareness and public education initiatives.
He assured that all investigations would remain impartial, evidence-based and conducted strictly within the confines of the law.