In a renewed bid to combat corruption and reclaim misappropriated public assets, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has issued Executive Order No. 145, extending the mandate of the Asset Recovery Task Force for another year. The move underscores his administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and economic justice in a country long plagued by financial mismanagement.
The Task Force, originally established in March 2024, has been tasked with identifying, investigating, and reclaiming government-owned assets that have been unlawfully converted for private use by former and current officials. The extended mandate allows the Task Force to strengthen its investigative reach both domestically and internationally.
“Public resources must be safeguarded and returned to serve the interests of the Liberian people,” President Boakai said in a statement, reaffirming his administration’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption.
Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Intervention
The Task Force, established in March 2024 under Executive Order No. 126, encountered immediate legal opposition. Gracious Ride Transport Service, a company affected by the Task Force’s asset seizures, challenged the constitutionality of the Executive Order, arguing that it duplicated the functions of existing institutions like the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). They contended that the Executive Order could impede the work of these entities and violate the separation of powers.
In response to the challenge, the Supreme Court, through Justice in Chambers Yussif Kaba, issued a stay order on March 28, 2024, temporarily halting the Task Force’s operations. The court mandated the release of all seized vehicles and instructed the Task Force to cease further seizures pending a conference to address the legal concerns raised.
The legal proceedings extended over nine months, during which the Task Force’s activities were largely suspended. The Supreme Court’s intervention underscored the complexities involved in balancing anti-corruption initiatives with adherence to constitutional processes and respect for existing legal frameworks. Following the resolution of legal disputes, the Task Force resumed its operations.
Strengthening the Fight Against Corruption
Under the new executive order, the Task Force will continue to operate under the Minister of State for Special Services and collaborate with key government institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and the Financial Intelligence Agency.
A five-member oversight committee will spearhead the recovery efforts, led by Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin as Chairman, with Dr. Ranney B. Jackson as Vice Chairman, and members John Mulbah Gbilee, Crosby Johnson, and Atty. Suzanne A. Johnson.
The team has been granted the authority to investigate, prosecute, and recover assets, including imposing travel restrictions on individuals under investigation. It will also engage Interpol and other diplomatic channels to track down suspects and repatriate stolen funds and properties.
To ensure the Task Force is fully operational, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has been directed to allocate immediate funding.
A Long Road to Accountability
Liberia, a nation still recovering from years of civil conflict and economic challenges, has consistently grappled with issues of corruption and financial mismanagement. International watchdogs have frequently cited the country for weak anti-corruption enforcement and lack of asset recovery mechanisms.
In recent years, the Liberian government has faced mounting pressure from civil society groups, international donors, and the public to take decisive action against officials who have allegedly misappropriated public funds and resources.
The extension of the Task Force’s mandate comes amid growing calls for greater government accountability. Transparency advocates argue that without tangible results, such efforts risk becoming symbolic rather than substantive.
International Partnerships and Future Outlook
With the expanded powers of the Task Force, Liberia aims to leverage international cooperation to recover assets that may have been transferred abroad. The involvement of Interpol and other diplomatic channels suggests a more aggressive approach to holding accountable those who have benefitted from corruption.
Liberia’s partners, including the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union, have previously encouraged stronger anti-corruption measures. With the government’s renewed focus, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether these efforts translate into meaningful prosecutions and asset recoveries.
For now, the Boakai administration appears intent on signaling that corruption will no longer be business as usual. But with deeply entrenched networks of financial mismanagement, the challenge of asset recovery remains significant.
The coming months will reveal whether Executive Order No. 145 is a turning point in Liberia’s fight against corruption—or just another chapter in its long struggle for accountability.
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.
