Monrovia — The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has firmly rejected any suggestion that recent legal developments have weakened its resolve, insisting that it remains fully committed to holding all indicted individuals accountable despite what it describes as deliberate procedural delays in the courts.
In a statement issued through its Public Relations Officer, Joseph F. Daniels, the Taskforce addressed the implications of a stay order granted by the Supreme Court of Liberia, sitting in Chambers under Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie. The order followed a petition for a writ of prohibition filed by defendants in the MDMC/MOFA criminal case, which involves allegations of theft of public property and criminal facilitation linked to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs renovation contract.
AREPT clarified that the Supreme Court’s intervention is strictly procedural and should not be misconstrued as a dismissal of the case, an acquittal, or a vindication of those indicted or under investigation. According to the Taskforce, such court actions merely pause proceedings pending further judicial review and do not absolve anyone of criminal responsibility.
“The issuance of a stay order does not terminate prosecution, erase alleged crimes, or place anyone above the law,” AREPT stressed, noting that legal maneuvers before the courts should not be mistaken for substantive relief.
The Taskforce reaffirmed its intention to operate strictly within the bounds of the law while respecting all court orders, emphasizing that its institutional independence and mandate remain intact. AREPT maintained that accountability for corruption is a national duty and that no individual or corporate entity enjoys immunity from scrutiny.
While acknowledging the authority of the judiciary, AREPT warned against interpreting the court’s action as a setback to Liberia’s anti-corruption drive. Instead, the Taskforce described the judicial process as an essential part of the rule of law, expressing confidence that justice will ultimately prevail once procedural hurdles are resolved.
AREPT further underscored its determination to trace, identify, and recover stolen public assets and to pursue prosecution without fear or favor. “There is no turning back,” the statement declared, adding that intentional delays will not derail efforts to retrieve public property allegedly stolen from the Liberian people.
The Taskforce also called on citizens, civil society organizations, and the media to remain vigilant and continue exposing acts of corruption by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations. According to AREPT, sustained public engagement is critical to strengthening transparency, accountability, and justice in Liberia’s governance system.
As the MDMC/MOFA case awaits further judicial action, the Taskforce’s defiant stance signals that the broader fight against corruption is far from over, even as legal battles intensify within the courts.
