-Summons taskforce for alleged arbitrary action of impounding vehicles
By Jerromie S. Walters
The power of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Assets Recovery Taskforce faced a setback as the Supreme Court intervened, putting a hold on their operations. In a ruling on Thursday, March 28, 2024, Judge Yussif Kaba ordered the immediate release of all seized vehicles by the task force.
According to the court document, Justice Yussif D. Kaba has summoned a conference for Monday, April 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the case further. In the meantime, all seized vehicles are to be released, and any further seizures are to be halted until after the conference.
This decision by the Court was prompted by a petition for a writ of prohibition filed on March 28, 2024, by Gracious Ride. The petition was lodged by Francis Blamo, the Manager of Gracious Ride in the City of Monrovia, against the Asset Recovery Task Force led by Cllr. Edwin Martin.
Assets Recovery Taskforce’s recent operations
Over the last few days, members of the assets recovery team had been seen intercepting vehicles along the Tubman Boulevard, an action they claimed to be searching for government assets that weren’t turned over by officials of the past administration of former president George Weah.
On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Asset Recovery Team, established by President Boakai through an Executive Order to identify and retrieve stolen government assets as well as assets acquired through acts of corruption, seized a vehicle belonging to the former Inspector General of Police, Col. Patrick Sudue, and several taxis reportedly owned by the former Chief of Protocol of George Weah’s administration, Madam Finda Bundo. But the former Police Boss has vowed to go to court.
Following the genesis of the assets recovery process, many have frowned at the method of the process while some believe that the process is on course. After the seizure of former Police IG vehicle and several other vehicles, Mr. Emmanuel Gonquoi, a member of the Asset Recovery Team, informed journalists that the team was carrying out investigations on some properties that were bought or acquired using stolen money from the government.
Mr. Emmanuel Gonquoi, “So, those yellow cars you see, we have some intelligence and we’re using that intelligence to investigate how those vehicles were acquired. We’re not jumping to conclusions; these vehicles are plying the streets without proper documents. We’re now beginning to see that something might have happened.”
Bility, others criticize the process
Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Bility has spoken out against the ongoing assets recovery process led by the Joseph Boakai administration, stating that it is being conducted in the wrong manner. Bility emphasized the significance of establishing lost assets and making this information public before taking further action.
Upon discovering the lost assets, he believes that the government should ask individuals in possession of these assets to return them voluntarily or face prosecution.
On his official Facebook page recently, Bility expressed his concerns about the current approach, labeling it as harassment towards law-abiding citizens. He criticized the practice of stopping peaceful individuals and demanding proof of ownership of their vehicles, pointing out that the government should first identify the lost assets before initiating any searches.
Bility: “Don’t rush with asset recovery. First, establish the lost assets and publish them. Ask those in possession to return it or face prosecution. And begin to search for the specific assets of government that are lost. Stop this nonsense of stopping peaceful citizens and asking them to establish their ownership of their vehicles. The government must first establish the assets lost before it can start the search for them. Come on fellas, you came with experience. Use it.”
He feels the current method is the wrong way of doing the right thing, as she says it’s an embarrassment to peaceful citizens.
Bility urged those in possession of government assets to cooperate and return them, emphasizing the importance of respecting the rule of law and the rightful ownership of public resources. He condemned any attempts to undermine the assets recovery process or manipulate it for personal gain.
“Stop making a mockery of a well-intentioned process. And to those with government assets, please return it. it’s not yours. Shameless bunch. What a vicious circle of mess after mess!!!!” However, many have questioned and expressed concerns over the recent actions of the assets recovery team, including intercepting vehicles along Tubman Boulevard.
On Thursday, March 14, President Boakai met with the Assets Recovery team. He gave the ‘charge of orders’ and promised his unwavering support to the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce. He admonished the team to be steadfast and uncompromising in the discharge of their duty in the interest of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the team, the Chairman Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin promised to execute their mandate without fear or favor. He assured the President that no one will be wrongfully accused and that they intend to ensure due diligence is followed meticulously. They thanked President Boakai for their selection and promised their utmost best to achieve the goals as outlined in Executive Order # 126.
