The Chairman of the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), Counselor Edwin Kla Martin, has assured Liberians that no suspect whether in the country or abroad, will escape justice as the government widens its crackdown net on corruption.
Martin gave the assurance on Monday, June 30, on ELBC.
He confirmed that the taskforce is investigating 26 active cases involving alleged theft of public funds, and reviewing 40 suspicious properties assumed to be acquired through ‘illicit’ means.
Cllr. Martin warned that anyone indicted, who attempts to flee the country, will be tracked with the help from international partners to include Interpol or international police force.
“There is no way anybody can escape. We’re working with partners in the United Kingdom (UK), Switzerland, Sweden and we’ll use Interpol where necessary,” he said.
Martin said the fight against corruption is not selective, adding: “We don’t investigate people; we investigate crimes. Once you’re linked to crime, you’ll be invited, past or present.”
He also encouraged voluntary restitution, revealing that “some individuals have approached the taskforce quietly to restitute what they stole under the recent past regime.”
Meanwhile, indictments in the Saudi rice scandal involving high-profile former officials remain before the court.
On Thursday, June 26, the government, AREPT in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice secured a major indictment against several former and current government officials and employees.
The indicted officials were arrested, but were subsequently released based on the “caliber of people involved.”
The action followed a detailed investigation into the illegal handling and diversion of 29,412 bags of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2023. The rice was intended to support disaster victims and vulnerable communities across the country.
Indicted individuals are Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mary Broh, former Director General, General Services Agency; Varney A. Sirleaf, former Minister of Internal Affairs; Thelma Sawyer, former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Administration; Henry O. Williams, former Executive Director, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA); Augustine Tamba, Deputy Director for Operations, NDMA; Augustine M. Kollie, Director for Disaster Victims, NDMA; Edward S. Konneh, employee, NDMA; Archievego M. Doe, Communications Director, NDMA; Edris Bility, former Deputy Director for Operations, GSA; Mamie Davies, Assistant Director, GSA; Momolu Johnson, Internal Affairs Deputy Minister for Administration; Rosetta L. Gbassay Bowah, Logistics Officer, NDMA; Wayfa Ciapha, purported CEO, Group of ’77’ and Evelyn Gbee, warehouse manager, GSA.
Investigation revealed that 25,054 bags of rice, valued at approximately US$425,918, were unlawfully diverted by the accused.
Some suspects have reportedly admitted to their roles, confirming a coordinated internal conspiracy and severe abuse of public trust.
Those named in the conspiracy have meanwhile been charged with theft of property, economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted property and abuse of office, criminal conspiracy.
These crimes for which they were indicted under Liberian law constitute a grave breach of ‘public trust and accountability.’
In line with legal procedures, government has also issued a ne exeat republica (travel restriction) to ensure that none of the accused flee the country during prosecution.
Under the leadership of Cllr. Martin, AREPT reaffirms its commitment to investigate, recover, and prosecute all instances of public asset theft.
He said the taskforce is set to launch a public campaign to raise awareness and gather tips on stolen state assets.