Court Orders Clar Hope Foundation to Release Documents in AREPT Probe

Monrovia, Liberia: Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice has denied a motion filed by the Clar Hope Foundation seeking to block an investigative subpoena issued by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT).

In a ruling delivered Tuesday, Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie upheld the subpoena and ordered the Foundation to produce all requested documents, including records related to its operations, finances, and project activities.

The court ruled that the subpoena falls within AREPT’s legal authority, emphasizing that no institution is beyond lawful investigation. Judge Willie warned that failure to comply could lead to legal penalties, including contempt proceedings.

The Clar Hope Foundation had argued that the subpoena was excessive and interfered with its independence. However, the court rejected the claim, stating that AREPT is empowered to demand relevant records as part of its mandate.

AREPT was established by the Government of Liberia to investigate, trace, and recover public assets believed to have been misused or illegally acquired. The Task Force has been conducting multiple inquiries involving individuals, businesses, and institutions linked to financial and property-related matters.

The Clar Hope Foundation is now part of that ongoing scrutiny, as investigators seek clarity on issues related to its funding and activities.

Lawyers representing the Foundation have appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court of Liberia.