11/07/2025
AREPT Secures Major Indictments in Gracious Ride, MDMC Corruption Investigations
Monrovia, Liberia — The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) has announced indictments in two major corruption investigations involving former government officials and private business executives linked to alleged money laundering, theft of public funds, and contract fraud.
Speaking at a press briefing in Pennsyville on Friday November 7th, AREPT Chairman Cllr. Edward Kla Martin said the indictments reflect Liberia’s resolve to fight impunity, stressing that the investigations were driven by evidence, not politics.
Multiple Indicted in Gracious Ride Money Laundering Probe
The first case involves former Chief of Protocol, Nora Finda Bundoo, and senior executives of Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride. The indictments also name:
Pamela Anita Jallah, CEO – Anita Group of Companies/Gracious Ride
Francis B. Blamo, General Manager – Anita Group
Saah F. Johnson Sr., CEO – Masarco Auto Service Inc.
40 additional indictees
They are charged with money laundering, economic sabotage, theft of property, misuse of public funds, criminal conspiracy, forgery, abuse of office, and regulatory violations under Liberia’s Public Procurement and Concessions Act (PPCA) and Public Financial Management Act (PFMA).
According to AREPT, investigations revealed that between 2020 and 2023, entities tied to Bundoo facilitated questionable transactions totaling more than US$6.7 million and L$845 million. Records showed a spike in assets not previously declared prior to her appointment as Chief of Protocol.
Among the assets flagged were:
Properties in Christopolis, Brewerville (collateral value US$73,000)
A 12-unit residential property in Freetown, Marshall Road, acquired in 2024 for US$137,000
A property in Rehab Community, Paynesville (US$120,000)
Purchase of 42 Suzuki vehicles in 2022–2023 for US$424,000 through Gracious Ride Inc.
Cllr. Martin added that a Supreme Court ruling in February 2025 lifted a nine-month pause on the investigation, allowing AREPT to resume its probe and move toward indictment.
MOFA Renovation Contract Sparks MDMC Indictment
The second indictment centers on a US$1.9 million renovation contract between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and MDMC Express Incorporated.
Indicted in this matter are:
Thelma Duncan Sawyer, former Deputy Minister for Administration, MOFA
John S. Youboty, CEO – MDMC Express
Joseph C. Goodridge, Project Manager – MDMC
Several other MDMC representatives
The contract, signed in September 2023, was financed by a US$2.5 million donation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia meant to renovate five floors of the MOFA building, the entire parking lot, and support rice donation to disaster victims.
AREPT said an independent technical audit found that:
100% of the contract value (US$1,949,999.72) was disbursed
Only 56.35% of the work was completed, valued at US$1,098,863.58
Approximately US$851,136.13 in paid work was never executed
The taskforce has since called for the immediate termination of all government contracts with MDMC, citing the gravity of the allegations.
Broader Anti-Corruption Drive Underway
Cllr. Martin disclosed that the two cases represent only the second and third indictments out of more than 40 ongoing investigations being pursued by AREPT.
In June 2025, 15 government officials were indicted for the alleged theft of rice donated by Saudi Arabia for disaster victims, a case that is currently before the court.
Reaffirming the agency’s mandate, Martin stressed that AREPT’s work is patriotic and evidence-driven.
“And to those who still believe they are untouchable, the law will find you,” he warned.
The full list of indictees and court filings are expected to be made public as the cases progress through the justice system.
