President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. of Liberia has renewed the mandate of the Asset Recovery Task Force (ARTF) for another year, demonstrating a continued commitment to combating corruption and reclaiming misappropriated public assets. This extension, enacted through Executive Order No. 145, amends the original Executive Order No. 126, which established the ARTF in March 2024. The Task Force’s primary objective is to identify, trace, and recover government assets illegally obtained by former officials. The renewal comes after a challenging first year for the ARTF, marked by a significant legal hurdle.
The ARTF’s initial year was largely consumed by a legal battle with Gracious Ride Incorporated, a company from which the Task Force seized vehicles, alleging fraudulent acquisition by a former government official. This legal dispute, initiated in March 2024, significantly hampered the Task Force’s ability to pursue other investigations. While the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in the ARTF’s favor in February 2025, the year-long legal process effectively stalled its broader operations. Despite this setback, the ARTF made some progress. During the period of the legal proceedings, the team identified 17 high-profile cases involving various forms of corruption, including theft of public assets, acquisition of suspicious properties, embezzlement through fraudulent construction companies, and theft of liquid assets.
The Supreme Court’s intervention, while ultimately validating the ARTF’s actions, also inadvertently provided a window of opportunity for individuals under investigation. During the nine-month stay order imposed by the Court, those involved in the alleged misappropriation of assets took measures to conceal their activities. These actions included transferring funds, changing bank accounts, transporting government vehicles across borders, altering vehicle identities, modifying property titles, and falsifying documents. The renewal of the ARTF’s mandate allows the team to pursue these cases and recover the assets that were illicitly transferred or concealed during the legal proceedings.
The renewed mandate empowers the ARTF to continue its investigations into these unresolved cases and pursue the recovery of all misappropriated public assets. The government has affirmed its commitment to holding both former and current officials accountable for corruption. To oversee the ARTF’s operations, a five-member committee has been established, chaired by Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin and including Dr. Ranney B. Jackson as Vice Chairman, along with John Mulbah Gbilee, Crosby Johnson, and Atty. Suzanne A. Johnson. This committee structure aims to ensure effective oversight and coordination of the Task Force’s efforts.
The ARTF will operate under the Office of the Minister of State for Special Services and will collaborate with various government agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, General Services Agency, Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA). This collaborative approach is designed to maximize the effectiveness of investigations, prosecutions, and asset recovery efforts, both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, the ARTF has been granted the authority to impose travel restrictions on individuals under investigation and to collaborate with Interpol and other international partners to repatriate suspects and recover assets taken out of the country. This international cooperation is crucial for pursuing assets that have been moved across borders.
To ensure the ARTF’s operational effectiveness, President Boakai has directed the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to allocate the necessary funds. This financial commitment underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to combating corruption and ensuring the responsible use of public resources. The President has called upon all relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and international partners, to support the ARTF in its mission. The ultimate goal is to uphold transparency, justice, and the rule of law in Liberia, ensuring that public assets are protected and used for the benefit of the Liberian people. The renewal of the ARTF’s mandate signifies a crucial step in the ongoing fight against corruption and the pursuit of accountability in Liberia.
