Monrovia – The Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has taken possession of 17 high-profile cases involving property theft, acquisition of suspicious assets, and misappropriated liquid assets.
Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, head of the taskforce, made the disclosure Thursday during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT). He revealed that the cases were compiled by the Bureau of Intelligence while the taskforce’s operations were halted by a Supreme Court prohibition. Following a recent ruling by the nation’s highest court lifting the restriction, AREPT has resumed its mandate to reclaim stolen assets.
The taskforce has also secured strategic partnerships with several international organizations to enhance its investigative and enforcement capabilities. One key international partner is expected to arrive in Liberia next month to review evidence and support the government’s broader anti-corruption drive.
Cllr. Martin further disclosed that some of Liberia’s stolen liquid assets have been traced to bank accounts and investments in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Dubai. AREPT is now strategizing on the repatriation of these assets as part of its broader recovery efforts.
The Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of AREPT in a case against Gracious Ride, a motor vehicle company linked to Madam Finda Bondo, former Chief of Protocol to ex-President George Weah. The taskforce had seized vehicles from the company, arguing they were allegedly acquired using public funds. Gracious Ride challenged the seizure in court, but after nearly a year of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court ruled that the company lacked the legal standing to contest AREPT’s operations.
The court’s decision has effectively granted AREPT the green light to aggressively resume asset recovery efforts after nearly a year of dormancy due to legal constraints.
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