The head of the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce, Cllr Edwin Kla Martin, said recent indictments have brought Liberia a step closer to recovering millions of dollars in public funds.
Speaking on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, on OK FM, Chairman Martin said the Taskforce has brought four major cases under indictment, involving more than 74 individuals and over US$10 million, along with roughly L$890 million in public resources allegedly misused.
He said moving these cases to court marks a critical shift from investigation to accountability, indicating that those cases are no longer just allegations, but are now being prosecuted in court, and that is what makes recovery possible.
Chairman Martin terms the indictments as major achievements that provide the legal basis for pursuing restitution, and following trial, authorities can begin processes such as assets tracing, freezing of accounts, and eventual recovery through court orders.
For Liberia, he said, this represents more than the possibility of retrieving funds. Saying, “It signals a system where public resources are protected, and misuse carries consequences.” He added that this approach is essential to restoring confidence in public institutions and ensuring that funds meant for development are not lost.
Commenting on criticism that the Taskforce has focused too heavily on indictments, Cllr. Martin said such views ignore how the law works and explained that indictments are not the end of the process but the step that makes recovery achievable.
“You cannot recover what has not been placed before the court,” he said. “Indictment is what allows the law to act.” He also clarified that once indictments are filed, it is the court that determines when cases are heard and how they proceed.
“Our role is to investigate and present strong cases,” he said. “From there, the court has the authority to decide the pace and process.” The chairman noted that all four cases are now within the judicial system, placing them on the path toward possible recovery. He said the Taskforce remains ready to proceed whenever the courts call the matters for a hearing.
In a further development, Chairman Martin disclosed that the Taskforce has filed a matter before a British court in connection with approximately US$10 million under investigation. The step, he said, is intended to allow the pursuit of individuals or assets that may be located outside Liberia.
“This ensures that our efforts to recover public money are not limited to Liberia alone,” he said. While highlighting the progress made, the chairman emphasized that the work is ongoing. Investigations continue, and additional indictments will follow where evidence supports them.
“We will continue to investigate and indict anyone found to have illegally acquired state resources,” he said. He ended with a call for public support, urging citizens to remain engaged as the process unfolds.
“We ask Liberians to continue supporting this work,” he said. “We remain committed to ensuring that those involved are prosecuted and that public assets are retrieved in accordance with the law.”
