Monrovia, Liberia – July 31, 2025
The Chairman of the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, has formally requested a criminal investigation into what he describes as public threats to his life and the safety of his family, allegedly made by media publisher and political commentator, Mr. Philipbert Semogal Browne.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Inspector General of Police, Col. Gregory O.W. Coleman, Cllr. Martin expressed grave concern over a recent opinion piece published on Mr. Browne’s social media platform.
According to the AREPT Chair, the commentary contains statements that constitute terroristic threats and indications of an assassination plot involving powerful individuals who Mr. Browne described as “the most powerful, influential, wealthy and elite Liberians.”
“Mr. Browne’s statements clearly show that he has full knowledge of a planned assassination attempt on my life and that of my family,” Cllr. Martin stated in the communication. “This plan, as presented by Mr. Browne, is not because I did anything personally to these individuals, but simply because of my commitment to national duty in the fight against corruption.”
Cllr. Martin argues that Mr. Browne’s familiarity with the alleged plot—including its actors, motives, and potential historical precedents—suggests he may be directly connected to the individuals involved.
He believes Mr. Browne must therefore be formally invited by the Liberia National Police for questioning and compelled to provide names, meeting locations, and other relevant details tied to the purported conspiracy.
Citing Article 15 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, which grants the right to free expression “with full responsibility for the abuse thereof,” the Taskforce Chairman emphasized that Mr. Browne should be held accountable for what he views as the abuse of that constitutional freedom to instill fear.
The letter also references Section 14.24 of Liberia’s Penal Code, which defines “Terroristic Threats” as a third-degree felony when a person threatens violence with the intent to cause terror, public inconvenience, or serious emotional harm.
Specific excerpts from Mr. Browne’s post were cited in the complaint, including passages warning that Cllr. Martin’s family should be relocated abroad for safety, and that his current role as AREPT Chair had made him a high-risk target. Other statements referenced past regime killings, implying that individuals under current investigation by AREPT may be the same ones responsible for politically linked murders in previous administrations.
“If Mr. Browne has such privileged knowledge, he should help the police identify those behind past killings and current threats. If not, he must be held personally liable for his reckless and dangerous claims,” Cllr. Martin noted.
The Taskforce Chair further clarified that his role and actions are solely in line with Executive Order No. 145, issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, which empowers AREPT to identify, investigate, and recover stolen public assets domestically and abroad. He reaffirmed that the anti-corruption campaign will not be derailed by threats or fear tactics.
“Whether threats are made or not, AREPT remains resolute. If anyone is involved in corrupt acts, they will be pursued within the confines of the law,” he wrote.
Cllr. Martin copied the letter to top government security and legal officials, including the Ministers of Justice, State for Special Services, and Information; the National Security Advisor; and the Director of the National Security Agency.
The letter concludes with a call for immediate action by the police to summon Mr. Browne for investigation and to help end what the Chairman referred to as the “culture of impunity.”
