By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The Clar Hope Foundation (CHF), a nonprofit institution founded by former First Lady Clar Marie Weah, has formally challenged actions taken by the Government of Liberia’s Asset Recovery Team by filing a Motion to Quash a court process issued against it by Criminal Court “A,” citing violations of due process and constitutional safeguards.
In a strongly worded press statement released Tuesday, the Foundation described the court process as unlawful and warned that allowing investigative demands unsupported by jurisdiction, legal foundation, or properly established prima facie evidence would undermine the rule of law in Liberia.
According to CHF, the motion is not an attempt to evade scrutiny or accountability but a legal stand aimed at defending procedural fairness.
The Foundation stated that it has nothing to hide but objected to what it characterized as a “fishing expedition” that compels institutions to respond to broad investigative demands without specific allegations or supporting evidence.“
The law is the law and must be followed by all, including the government,” the statement said, stressing that rights guaranteed under Liberia’s Constitution and statutory laws are sacrosanct and not subject to political convenience or institutional overreach.
The Foundation warned that failure to enforce due process standards could set a dangerous precedent, exposing private citizens, nonprofit organizations, and legitimate institutions to arbitrary state action under the guise of investigations.
CHF argued that such practices, if unchecked, could erode public confidence in the justice system and weaken democratic governance.
While expressing regret that legal action became necessary, CHF maintained that silence in the face of unlawful process would amount to acquiescence.
“Today’s silence becomes tomorrow’s erosion of rights,” the statement noted, adding that principled resistance is sometimes required to preserve constitutional order.
The Clar Hope Foundation reaffirmed its readiness to comply with any lawful, constitutionally grounded, and properly authorized process, but insisted it would not legitimize actions that compromise due process and judicial integrity.
Addressing its donors, partners, beneficiaries, and the wider public, the Foundation emphasized that the legal challenge would not disrupt its humanitarian mission of supporting vulnerable children and communities across Liberia.
Instead, it said the action seeks to protect the legal environment that allows nonprofit institutions to function without intimidation or political interference.
