By S. Nimely Sonpon
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has welcomed a new wave of corruption indictments against several former Government of Liberia officials, describing the move as a positive step while urging authorities to intensify efforts toward achieving concrete results.
Speaking at a press briefing in Monrovia, CENTAL Executive Director Anderson Miamen emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration with the media, noting that such partnerships remain critical in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance across the country.
CENTAL highlighted that on March 4, 2026, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai renewed the mandate of the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) through Executive Order #161. Originally established in March 2024, the Taskforce is responsible for identifying, investigating, and recovering public assets and financial resources unlawfully obtained by current and former government officials.
According to Miamen, despite early legal and operational setbacks, the Taskforce has made notable progress and is now better positioned to fulfill its mandate.
The statement follows recent announcements by Taskforce Chairman Edwin Kla Martin regarding multiple indictments, including that of former Commerce and Industry Minister Mawine Diggs and several other officials linked to the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration.
The indictments are tied to allegations involving the diversion of approximately US$1.8 million intended for a rural women’s empowerment initiative.
Authorities say the charges are backed by credible evidence and that due process has been observed.Others named in the indictment include Joseph Y. Howe, Kebeh Monger, Elizabeth Finda Sambulah, Josephine Handful Greens, and Kemmoh Borbor, all of whom were associated with the program under investigation.
CENTAL noted that the latest development builds on earlier indictments, including the November 2025 case involving former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo and more than 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 over the handling of rice donated by the Saudi Arabia.
These cases bring the total number of former government officials indicted by the Taskforce to over 50, marking a significant escalation in Liberia’s anti-corruption drive.
While commending the progress, CENTAL cautioned that indictments alone are not enough. The organization called for increased financial, logistical, and institutional support to ensure successful prosecutions and the recovery of stolen public assets.
It further pointed to funding disparities among integrity institutions, noting that while AREPT received more than US$670,000 in the 2024 national budget, the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative received slightly less despite its longstanding role in promoting accountability.
The anti corruption group has urged government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to strengthen collaboration and ensure that ongoing anti-corruption efforts translate into meaningful and lasting benefits for the Liberian people.
