Criminal Court “A” has ordered the Clar Hope Foundation, established by former First Lady Clar Marie Weah, to surrender all financial and administrative records related to the construction of its multi-purpose complex in Marshall, Margibi County.
The directive intensifies a government probe into alleged corruption and possible misuse of public funds.
Resident Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie issued a subpoena duces tecum compelling the Foundation’s management to appear in court on Friday, January 23, at 10:00 a.m. The order requires the production of documents detailing sources of funding, donations, and expenditures tied to the project.
The subpoena was issued at the request of the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT), which is investigating whether public resources or illicit funds financed the sprawling complex. The facility, situated on several acres of land, is registered as private property.
According to the court writ, the order is directed to the Foundation’s General Manager, Jackson P. Gbarmie, his deputies, and all persons acting under his authority. They are required to provide:
Records of funds received from individuals and government institutions for the construction of the complex
A list of institutions and individuals who made donations, including the amounts contributed.
Documentation showing amounts presented, as well as the locations, telephone numbers, and addresses of contributors
The court further instructed that proof of service be returned to the Clerk of Criminal Court “A,” warning that failure to comply could result in legal sanctions.
Government Tightens Asset Recovery Net
The subpoena marks the latest escalation in President Joseph Boakai’s asset recovery campaign, which has placed several former officials of the George Weah administration under scrutiny.
The AREPT was established to trace, recover, and reclaim state assets believed to have been unlawfully acquired or misused during previous governments. Since its creation, the task force has pursued cases involving high-value properties, luxury vehicles, and questionable financial transactions linked to former public officials.
Sources familiar with the investigation say the Marshall complex drew attention due to its scale, cost, and timing, having been constructed during Clar Weah’s tenure as First Lady. Investigators are seeking to determine whether public funds, government-linked donations, or coerced contributions were used in the project.
Clar Hope Foundation
The Clar Hope Foundation has long presented itself as a charitable organization focused on women, children, and community development. The Marshall complex has hosted social and humanitarian activities since its completion.
However, critics have repeatedly questioned the transparency of the Foundation’s financing, particularly amid allegations during the Weah administration that businesses and institutions were pressured to make “donations” to entities linked to the presidency.
Neither former First Lady Clar Weah nor the Foundation’s management has publicly commented on the subpoena.
Political decision?
The move is expected to heighten political tensions between the ruling Unity Party-led government and allies of former President George Weah, who accuse the administration of selective justice and political persecution.
Government officials, however, insist the investigation is evidence-driven and part of a broader commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
Madam Clar Marie Weah, wife of former President Weah, has on several occasions denied that not a single cent of public funding was used to finance the foundation’s activities.
On Wednesday afternoon, the foundation stated that the Assets recovery team does not have the authority to subpoena them.
Motion trash
Consistent with its longstanding commitment to transparency, legality, and institutional integrity, the Clar Hope Foundation has filed a Motion to Quash the process issued against it by the Criminal Court A.
“This action should not be misconstrued as an attempt to conceal information or evade accountability. On the contrary, it reflects the Foundation’s firm belief that the law is the law and must be followed by all —government included”, a statement from the foundation added.
