‘Reckless, Unprovoked’ -MDMC Blasts Assets Recovery Taskforce

In a strongly-worded worded statement, Modern Development and Management Corporation (MDMC) has denied allegations of fraud and corruption made by the Assets Recovery Task Force, labeling the claims as “false, misleading, and politically motivated”. The company has also condemned the arrest of its CEO, John S. Youboty, as a “reckless and unprovoked” attack on its reputation. THE ANALYST’s H Matthew Turry reports.

A popular Liberian construction company, Modern Development and Management Corporation (MDMC) Express Inc., has denied allegations made by the Assets Recovery Task Force that its contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fraudulent or improperly executed. The company described the claims as “false, misleading, and politically motivated,” insisting that all works were completed in full compliance with the contract.

In a news conference, one of MDMC Cllr Lavela Walker said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MDMC entered into two (2) separate civil work contracts on May 5 and September 12, 2023, requiring MDMC to undertake renovation of the ministry’s 6h with the installation of three (3) new elevators; also the 5^th, 4^th 3^rd and 1^st floors, respectively.,

Stating, the contract include its basement Passport section over 2 years ago, with the total estimated cost of uss1, 949,999.72, and the said project was fully funded by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to MDMC Cllr Walker, The civil works were implemented in three (3) separate phases as.

“First segment covered 5th, 4h, and ground floor for the cost $779, 999, 88 constituting 40% of the contract price, and the second segment covered 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors for the cost 682, 499, 90 constituting 35% of the total contract cost,” he said.

He further explained by saying, “The third segment covered the basement (passport section) and pavement works at the cost of (s 194,999.97), constituting 15% of the total contract price.

The MDMC lawyer noted that the total renovation Works completed is one hundred percent (100%) including six (6) month of defect and liability period which expired over a year ago.

The three (3) elevators warranty ends January 31, 2026. Several communications written to MoFA Administration for official general assessment or inspections and turn-over protocol of the renovation were not responded to since the last fifteen (15) months.

MDMC has successfully implemented the civil works in strict compliance with the defined segments as enshrined in the contractual agreement with its bill of quantity (boq) and change order or extra works that were added by the Ministry outside of the original boq at the cost of US$526,870.24.

MDMC had completed the civil works even after an addendum to the contract’s duration was granted.

Stating, “Yet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had reneged on its side of the shared obligation to make payment of the balance contract money that MDMC has already performed in the sum of uss526, 870.24 as extra cost of civil works ordered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs excluding the defect and liability money which should mature for payment in January of 2026

“MDMC has written many communications to the Ministry requesting the training of its personnel to manage the elevators after the expiration of the warranty since two (2) years have fallen on deaf ears and MDMC’s involvement ends January 31, 2026 in managing the elevators”

MDMC condemned the Task Force’s actions as a witch-hunt and an abuse of power that undermines investor confidence in Liberia.

The company vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible for what it called a “reckless and unlawful attack” on its CEO and corporate reputation.

According to Cllr Lavela Walker, the attack, allegedly carried out by officers believed to be from the Liberia National Police under the Assets Recovery Task Force took place early Friday, November 7, 2025. Mr Youboty was reportedly arrested and jailed at the Monrovia Central Prison.

MDMC described the raid as illegal and damaging to investor confidence, calling it a “planned and well-executed assault” on a law-abiding businessman

The MDMC through its lawyer further claims that the Ministry ignored legal advice from the Minister of Justice, who had recommended payment and a technical review of the completed works. MDMC says instead, the Assets Recovery Task Force acted outside its mandate by launching investigations and arresting its CEO.

Calling the move a “witch hunt” and “abuse of power,” Cllr Walker noted that the MDMC will seek legal redress for what it terms reputational and psychological damage. The company urged the Liberian government to prevent such actions, which it says threaten the country’s business climate and rule of law.

Recently, on Friday, November 7, 2025 the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) indicted several former government officials including the Modern Development and Management Corporation (MDMC) for corruptions.

The AREPT in its indictment on MDMC said, “On September 12, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then represented by its Acting Minister Thelma Duncan Sawyer, entered into a civil works contract with Mr. John S. Youboty of MDMC Express Incorporated. The contract was for the renovation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and was scheduled to last for three months — from September 12 to December 31, 2023.

Stating, “The investigation found that the Ministry made full payment of One million, nine hundred forty-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine United States dollars and seventy-two cents (US$1,949,999.72) to MDMC, representing 100 percent of the contract value.

“During the investigation, an appraiser was carried out by an independent Architectural firm which findings revealed that no certificate of completion was ever issued, and that only about 56.35 percent of the work was actually done, valued at US$1,098,863.58,” AREPT boss Cllr Edward Kla Martin said .

This means that 43.65 percent of the work, valued at US$851,136.13, was not done at all, even though the company had already received full payment.

AREPT’s investigation also revealed that the money in question was part of a US$2.5M (Two million five hundred thousand United States Dollars) donation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Government of the Republic of Liberia for the renovation of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors, including the entire parking lot of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.