Figure 1Cllr. Martin along with Forensic Expert Meets Finance Minister
In a significant step toward combating corruption and reclaiming misappropriated state assets, Liberia has welcomed two senior forensic experts from the UK-based firm FTI Consulting. The arrival of Andrew Durant and Wayne Anthony, both highly regarded specialists in asset tracing and financial fraud investigations, underscores the West African nation’s renewed commitment to tackling illicit financial flows.
The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), led by Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, has been at the forefront of this initiative, working closely with government institutions to track and recover assets acquired through illicit means by past and present officials. Their latest engagements signal a comprehensive intersectoral collaboration designed to strengthen Liberia’s anti-corruption efforts.
Ministry of Finance Pledges Full Support
In a high-level meeting with the forensic team, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support the efforts to ensure stolen public assets are recovered and repurposed for national development.
“The success of this initiative will directly benefit the Liberian people, especially those most in need,” Minister Ngafuan stated. “Liberia has struggled with financial mismanagement for years, and this collaboration with FTI Consulting will strengthen our ability to trace and recover looted assets. My ministry fully supports AREPT in this mission.”
Andrew Durant, speaking on behalf of the forensic team, expressed confidence in Liberia’s efforts. “We are pleased to be here and to work with the Liberian government in its fight against corruption. Asset recovery is a long and complex process, but with political will and inter-agency cooperation, we can achieve tangible results.”
Strengthening Collaboration Across Key Institutions
Figure 1Cllr. Martin along with Forensic Expert Meets Finance Minister
Written by Joseph Daniels｜ Published on March 25, 2025｜｜ Categories In Investigations Figure 1Cllr. Martin along with Forensic Expert Meets Finance Minister In a significant step toward combating corruption and reclaiming misappropriated state assets, Liberia has welcomed two senior forensic experts from the UK-based firm FTI Consulting. The arrival of Andrew…
Understanding the importance of a unified approach, AREPT Chairperson Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin and FTI’s forensic team have been engaging with key government bodies.
In separate meetings, Liberia’s Justice Minister, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, and Inspector General of Police, Gregory O. W. Coleman, assured their commitment to supporting AREPT’s mission. Both officials acknowledged that the fight against corruption requires coordinated efforts across multiple institutions, emphasizing the role of law enforcement in asset retrieval.
Figure 3Cllr. Martin Along with FTI Consulting Expert Meets Police IG
“Intersectoral collaboration is critical in combating corruption,” said Justice Minister Tweh. “AREPT’s engagement with international forensic experts strengthens our ability to hold individuals accountable and recover stolen resources.”
Auditor General Joins the Fight
Figure 4Cllr. Martin Along with FTI Consulting Expert Meets Auditor General
The country’s top financial watchdog, Auditor General Garswa Jackson, Sr., also met with Cllr. Martin and Andrew Durant to discuss Liberia’s asset recovery strategy. Their discussions centered on enhancing forensic auditing processes and leveraging international expertise to track hidden wealth.
A New Era of Accountability in Liberia
Liberia’s asset recovery initiative, spearheaded by AREPT and backed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., represents one of the most aggressive anti-corruption drives in the country’s recent history. The involvement of international forensic experts provides Liberia with advanced investigative techniques and a global network for tracking illicit financial activities.
While past efforts to combat corruption have faced challenges, this renewed push, backed by a robust legal framework and institutional cooperation, signals a potential turning point. With growing public demand for accountability, the coming months will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of this initiative.
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.
