Africa-Press – Liberia. The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has identified and traced more than 30 properties allegedly acquired through illicit means by public officials and private individuals, the head of the taskforce, Cllr. Edwin Kla-Martin, told the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Appearing under oath before lawmakers, Cllr. Martin disclosed that the properties were discovered within the first five months of the Taskforce’s operations. He assured legislators that AREPT has gathered sufficient evidence to initiate legal proceedings aimed at recovering the properties.
“We have with us sufficient pieces of evidence that have helped us to identify and trace these properties. And I can promise you that the law for retrieval will be applied and those involved will go to court,” he said.
The Taskforce has also launched 27 active investigations involving current and former public officials, with 17 of those cases nearing completion. However, Martin refrained from naming those under investigation, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing probes.
In addition, AREPT has uncovered instances of fictitious bank deposits and suspected money laundering activities through unnamed financial institutions.
Martin revealed that the Swedish Ambassador has pledged support in recovering stolen Liberian assets traced to Sweden. He added that two forensic experts from the United Kingdom have been engaged to assist with complex investigations and litigation, including efforts to file claims on assets located abroad.
Despite the progress, AREPT faces several operational challenges, including funding constraints, legal limitations, and logistical hurdles. Cllr. Martin called on the Legislature to include AREPT in the Recast National Budget, emphasizing the need for adequate resources to carry out national and cross-border asset recovery missions.
He also urged lawmakers to amend Section 4.2 of the Penal Law to remove the statute of limitations on corruption-related offenses, allowing prosecutions and asset recoveries without time restrictions.
Following his presentation, Margibi County District #2 Representative Ivar Jones moved that the House leadership engage the Executive Branch to resolve funding and legal challenges hampering the taskforce’s work.
The motion, amended by Sinoe County District #3 Representative Alex Nuah to include a request for financial accountability regarding AREPT’s US$500,000 budget allocation, was unanimously adopted by the House.
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