By Stephen N. Sonpon
Monrovia, April 21 (LINA) – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has welcomed the latest wave of corruption indictments issued by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) against several former Government of Liberia officials, while calling for more robust efforts to ensure tangible outcomes in the fight against corruption.
Addressing members of the press in Monrovia, CENTAL Executive Director Anderson Miamen expressed appreciation for continued collaboration with the media, describing it as vital to advancing good governance, transparency, and accountability across Liberia.
The organization highlighted that on March 4, 2026, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai renewed—through Executive Order #161—the mandate of the AREPT for a second time.Initially established in March 2024, the Taskforce is charged with identifying, investigating, and recovering public assets and financial resources unlawfully held by individuals, including former and current government officials and their associates.
Anderson Maimen noted that while the Taskforce faced significant legal and operational challenges during its early phase, it has since made progress in overcoming these obstacles and is now better positioned to deliver on its mandate for the Liberian people.
The commendation follows recent announcement by Taskforce Chairman, Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, of multiple indictments involving Madam Mawine Diggs, former Minister of Commerce and Industry, along with several other officials from the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration.
The indictments stem from allegations surrounding the diversion of approximately US$1.8 million intended for a rural women’s empowerment program. According to media reports, Cllr. Martin indicated that the charges are supported by credible evidence and that due process has been followed in prosecuting the accused.
Those named in the indictment alongside Madam Diggs include Atty. Joseph Y. Howe, Kebeh Monger, Elizabeth Finda Sambulah, Josephine Handful Greens, and Kemmoh Borbor—all of whom held various roles linked to the program in question.
CENTAL further pointed out that the latest action builds on previous indictments by the Taskforce, including the November 2025 case involving former Chief of Protocol Madam Nora Finda Bundoo and over 40 others in an alleged US$6.7 million corruption scheme. It also referenced the June 2025 indictment of former Foreign Minister D. Maxwell Saah Kemayah and 15 others concerning the handling of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
These cumulative actions bring the number of former government officials indicted by the Taskforce to more than 50, signaling a significant escalation in Liberia’s anti-corruption efforts.While praising the Taskforce’s work as commendable, CENTAL stressed that indictments alone are not sufficient.
The organization called for sustained financial, logistical, and institutional support to ensure successful prosecutions and recovery of stolen assets.CENTAL also underscored disparities in funding among anti-corruption institutions, noting that while AREPT received over US$670,000 in the 2024 budget year, older institutions such as the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) received slightly less, despite their longstanding roles in promoting accountability.
The organization concluded by urging all stakeholders—including government institutions, civil society, and international partners—to reinforce efforts that translate ongoing anti-corruption actions into meaningful and lasting outcomes for the Liberian people.