Monrovia, Liberia — In a significant move to tackle corruption and reclaim misappropriated public funds, Liberia has enlisted the expertise of two senior forensic specialists from FTI Consulting, a leading international firm known for its work in asset tracing and financial fraud investigations. The experts, Andrew Durant and Wayne Anthony, are set to arrive in Monrovia on Tuesday for an initial two-week assessment, which they will conduct at no cost to the Liberian government.
Their visit marks a new phase in Liberia’s asset recovery efforts, led by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT). The task force is operating under Executive Order No. 145, signed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, as part of a renewed push to trace, seize, and repatriate assets acquired through illicit means.
Liberia, like many nations with histories of corruption, has struggled to recover stolen public funds, with significant portions of its national wealth allegedly siphoned off by former officials and private actors.
A Global Effort to Reclaim Liberia’s Wealth
FTI Consulting has an extensive track record in uncovering and repatriating stolen assets, having assisted governments, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies in some of the world’s most high-profile financial crime cases. The firm played a crucial role in helping Nigeria recover billions of dollars in looted funds and has worked on major fraud investigations in jurisdictions including Libya, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, and Kyrgyzstan.
Andrew Durant, a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, leads the firm’s forensic accounting services across London, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 30 years of experience in asset tracing and forensic investigations, he has worked on high-profile corruption cases involving financial fraud, bribery, and asset misappropriation. His expertise is widely recognized, with accolades from industry watchdogs such as Who’s Who Legal and Chambers & Partners.
Wayne Anthony, also a forensic accounting and fraud investigation specialist, brings more than 25 years of experience to Liberia’s efforts. Having led major cross-border investigations in some of the world’s most complex financial crime cases, he previously managed FTI Consulting’s forensic accounting practice in the UAE. His work has focused on tracing assets hidden in offshore accounts, identifying fraudulent financial transactions, and helping governments recover stolen wealth.
Liberia’s Struggle Against Corruption
Liberia has long grappled with systemic corruption, a challenge that has undermined economic growth and eroded public trust in government institutions. The Boakai administration has made asset recovery a top priority, arguing that reclaiming stolen funds is essential for national development, particularly in a country still recovering from years of civil war and economic instability.
AREPT, under the leadership of Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, is tasked with investigating and prosecuting cases of illegal asset conversion. The agency has pledged to go after both fixed and liquid assets that have been misappropriated, signaling a more aggressive approach than previous anti-corruption efforts.
“Our goal is to ensure that public resources are recovered and used for national development,” said Martin in a statement. “The expertise of FTI Consulting will enhance our capacity to identify and reclaim assets that belong to the Liberian people. This is about accountability, justice, and rebuilding trust in government.”
Liberia has received criticism in the past for weak enforcement of anti-corruption measures. Despite efforts by previous administrations to strengthen financial oversight, progress has been slow, with limited success in recovering stolen assets or prosecuting high-profile offenders. The arrival of FTI Consulting’s experts is expected to boost the government’s ability to track hidden funds, uncover illicit financial networks, and take legal action against those responsible for looting public wealth.
What’s Next?
The two-week initial assessment by FTI Consulting will focus on evaluating Liberia’s current asset recovery strategies and identifying key areas where international expertise can help advance investigations. If the initial phase proves successful, it is likely that Liberia will deepen its collaboration with the firm, potentially leading to more extensive asset recovery operations.
International donors and development partners have repeatedly called for stronger financial accountability, linking aid and investment to tangible progress in fighting corruption. The success of this initiative could not only help Liberia reclaim stolen funds but also improve its international standing, attract foreign investment, and strengthen its economy.
For ordinary Liberians, the prospect of recovering stolen wealth offers hope that critical public services—such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure—can be better funded. However, the real test will be whether the government can turn this momentum into lasting institutional reforms that prevent future financial crimes.
For now, the arrival of Durant and Anthony marks a significant step in Liberia’s efforts to restore financial integrity and hold those responsible for corruption accountable.
Joseph Daniels reports for OK FM Liberia as Executive Mansion Correspondent. With a vested interest in making the voices of people from different walks of life heard, he has covered investigative stories relating to education, health, the environment, corruption, and violence against women and girls, among others. He graduated from the United Methodist University with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Mass Communications in 2020. Joseph is also a fellow at New Narratives, a non-profit organization helping media deliver independent, truthful information to its people so they can make informed decisions.
