By By: Staff Writer
The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has announced sweeping indictments involving some of Liberia’s most prominent former government officials and business executives, following months of intensive investigations into alleged money laundering, theft of public funds, and abuse of office.
Speaking to journalists at the Taskforce’s Paynesville headquarters, AREPT Chairman Cllr. Edward Kla Martin said the move represents a bold statement of Liberia’s determination to hold every public servant accountable, regardless of status or political ties.
“What we share today is not just another update,” Cllr. Martin declared. “It is a statement of Liberia’s resolve to hold accountable anyone who abuses public trust — no matter their position or connections.”
Two Major Corruption Rings Exposed
According to AREPT, two separate investigations — one involving the “Gracious Ride” business network and another connected to a renovation contract at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — have led to full indictments.
The first case targets former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo, Pamela Anita Jallah, CEO of Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride, Francis B. Blamo, General Manager of Anita Group, Saah F. Johnson Sr., CEO of Masarco Auto Service Inc., and forty others.
The second case involves John S. Youboty, CEO of MDMC Express Incorporated, and Thelma Duncan Sawyer, former Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“These cases are separate,” Martin explained, “but they both reveal the same troubling pattern — the use of power and influence to divert public resources for personal gain.”
Gracious Ride and the Millions in Hidden Wealth
The Taskforce said it began investigating the Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride in March 2024 after discovering suspicious property and vehicle transactions.
“After the Supreme Court lifted AREPT’s nine-month ban, our investigation revealed that these companies were used as fronts to move and hide millions of U.S. and Liberian dollars in public funds,” the Chairman disclosed.
Before assuming her government position, Madam Bundoo reportedly held no significant business interests. Yet between 2020 and 2023, AREPT says her assets and financial activities skyrocketed.
Investigators traced more than US$6.7 million and L$845 million in transactions linked to Bundoo during that period. Among the properties uncovered were real estate holdings in Christopolis, Marshall Road, and Rehab Community, as well as 42 Suzuki vehicles purchased from GBK Motors for over US$424,000.
“Her financial activities multiplied beyond explanation,” Martin noted. “Every transaction, every acquisition pointed to abuse of office and manipulation of public resources.”
Based on the evidence, Bundoo and her associates have been indicted for money laundering, theft of property, misuse of public funds, criminal conspiracy, forgery, abuse of office, and violations of both the Public Procurement and Concessions Act (PPCA) and the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA).
MDMC Case: Millions Paid for Unfinished Work
In another case, the Taskforce indicted former Deputy Minister Thelma Duncan Sawyer and MDMC Express CEO John Youboty for allegedly defrauding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a US$1.9 million contract.
The contract, signed in September 2023, was intended for the renovation of the Ministry’s headquarters. AREPT’s investigation found that although full payment was made, only 56.35 percent of the work was completed — leaving nearly US$851,000 unaccounted for.
“Our findings revealed that the money came from a US$2.5 million donation by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Martin explained. “This money was meant to renovate the Ministry’s building and provide rice to disaster victims — but instead, it was misused.”
He emphasized that AREPT has formally requested the government to terminate all contracts with MDMC Express following its indictment for theft of property and criminal facilitation.
“Every dollar that is stolen is a resource denied to our people,” the Chairman said solemnly. “That money could have built classrooms, provided medicine, or paid civil servants. These crimes rob Liberian children of a better future.”
No One Is Untouchable
Cllr. Martin reaffirmed that the Taskforce’s work is guided strictly by evidence and the law, not politics.
“AREPT’s work is not political but patriotic,” he stressed. “We follow the evidence, and wherever that evidence leads, we go. Justice is not instant — it is built step by step through lawful, careful work.”
The Chairman also revealed that more than 40 other corruption-related cases are currently under active investigation. He cited an earlier case from June, which led to the indictment of fifteen officials for allegedly stealing rice donated by Saudi Arabia for disaster victims.
“These investigations demonstrate that no public official or private citizen is beyond accountability,” Martin added.
A Warning to the Corrupt
In his closing remarks, the AREPT boss sent a clear warning to those still engaged in corruption.
“Today’s indictments send a clear message that Liberia is changing course,” he declared. “Those who misuse public resources will face the full weight of the law, and those who serve with honesty will be protected and respected. And to those who still believe they are untouchable — the law will find you.”
As the legal process unfolds, the Liberian public watches closely, seeing in these indictments a test of the government’s true commitment to the fight against corruption.
