MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has expressed measured optimism following the recent indictment of several former high-ranking officials by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (ARPRT).
By Francis G. Boayue
However, the leading anti-graft watchdog warned that indictments alone are insufficient, calling for speedy trials and the actual retrieval of stolen wealth to restore public confidence.
The Asset Recovery Taskforce, established in 2024, has faced numerous legal hurdles in its infancy but is now under intense public pressure to deliver the first major conviction of the Boakai Administration’s Rescue Mission.
Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia on Thursday, CENTAL Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, acknowledged the renewed mandate of the Taskforce under Executive Order #161, issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
According to Mr. Miemen, the latest legal action, unveiled by Taskforce Chairman Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, targets former Minister of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Madam Mawine Diggs along with several accomplices.
They are accused of diverting approximately US$1.8 million intended for a rural women’s empowerment program.
Among those indicted alongside Madam Diggs are Atty. Joseph Y. Howe, former Senior Policy Advisor (MOCI), Kebeh Monger, President of the National Rural Women Structure of Liberia, Elizabeth Finda Sambulah, President of the Liberia Marketing Association and Kemmoh Borbor, Cashier at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Mr. Miamen said the move follows a string of high-stakes indictments, including the November 2025 case against former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundor involving US$6.7 million and the June 2025 indictment of former Foreign Minister D. Maxwell Saah Kemayah regarding donated Saudi Rice. To date, the Taskforce has indicted over 50 former officials.
He noted that the Taskforce has enjoyed significant financial backing from the government—receiving US$670,920 at the end of the 2024 budget year—outpacing established institutions like the Liberia Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI). Despite this support, Mr. Miamen expressed deep concern over the slow pace of tangible results.
“The fight against corruption becomes more meaningful when outcomes are accrued beyond indictments,” Mr. Miamen told reporters.
“Liberians have grown tired of seeing individuals acquire enormous ill-gotten assets. When people are indicted, the State must ensure the trial is speedy and justice is dispensed. The buck does not stop at an investigation.”
To ensure the Asset Recovery process does not stall, CENTAL proposed the following recommendations: “Move Beyond Indictments: The Taskforce must demonstrate the actual repatriation of foreign-based and local assets to show real impact.’’
“Specialized Court: The Government must prioritize the establishment of a Specialized Anti-Corruption Court to fast-track these high-profile cases, Legislative Reform: CENTAL is calling for the removal of the five-year statute of limitation on corruption cases, which often allows perpetrators to escape justice through delays.’’
“Judicial Prioritization: The Judiciary must treat corruption cases as a priority to act as a deterrent for current and future officials, and Sustainable Funding: While the Taskforce is funded, CENTAL urged the government to ensure all integrity institutions, including the LACC, GAC and PPCC, are adequately financed to prevent one-off successes.’’
“There can be no successful fight against corruption if the institutions leading the process are not fully supported morally and financially by the state,” Mr. Miamen added.
