FTI Consulting to support Liberia’s anti-corruption and asset recovery agenda
The Government of Liberia has taken a notable step in strengthening its anti-corruption agenda through an engagement with FTI Consulting.
Two senior forensic specialists from FTI Consulting, Andrew Durant and Wayne Anthony, have joined the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT) to begin a two-week technical assessment aimed at supporting Liberia’s efforts to trace and recover public assets lost through illicit activities.
Their arrival today follows an announcement by AREPT confirming that the expert assessment will be conducted at no cost to the government. In a statement, FTI Consulting said that its pro-bono engagement demonstrates the firm’s commitment to Liberia’s renewed resolve to fight corruption and improve accountability.
Speaking upon arrival, Durant underscored the importance of the collaboration. “We are here to support Liberia’s efforts in tracing and recovering assets lost through illicit means. Our initial assessment will help identify key areas where we can provide technical expertise to strengthen the recovery process,” he said.
AREPT Chairperson Edwin Kla Martin welcomed the specialists, emphasising that their presence reflects the government’s determination to address the long-standing issue of misappropriated public resources. “The presence of these experts reinforces the government’s determination to hold individuals accountable for corrupt practices. Their expertise will be invaluable in strengthening our asset recovery initiatives,” he noted.
During their two-week stay, the FTI Consulting experts will conduct a detailed case evaluation, engage with national integrity institutions and meet with key justice and financial sector stakeholders.
The two experts bring more than five decades of combined experience in cross-border forensic investigations. Durant – who leads FTI Consulting’s Forensic Accounting Services across London, the Middle East and Africa – has overseen major investigations into corruption, bribery, financial fraud and asset misappropriation across four continents.
Anthony meanwhile has 25 years of experience, and has led high-profile asset tracing missions in Libya, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq and other jurisdictions affected by financial crime.
AREPT says it is fully committed to working closely with the experts to ensure that key cases are properly assessed and that the foundations are laid for a stronger, more modern asset recovery process.
The effort is part of President Joseph Boakai’s wider directive to ensure that all asset tracing and recovery mechanisms operate within a transparent, lawful and collaborative framework.
Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan hailed the arrival of the experts as “good news” for the nation’s anti-corruption drive. He noted that the addition of independent international specialists reflects the seriousness of the Boakai administration’s commitment to ensuring that stolen wealth is traced, recovered and channelled back into national development.
“The Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force is not working alone anymore. AREPT brought in independent partners, which is a clear sign of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and recovering stolen assets,” the Minister said.
