-AREPT, Justice Ministry Oppose Overseas Treatment Bid in Ongoing Rural Women Empowerment Fund Case
MONROVIA, Liberia – Criminal Court “C” at the First Judicial Circuit in Montserrado County has ordered an independent medical assessment of former Commerce and Industry Minister Mawine G. Diggs, following her request for permission to travel abroad for medical treatment while facing criminal charges in the high-profile Rural Women Empowerment Fund case.
The court’s decision comes after lawyers representing Madam Diggs filed an application seeking authorization for her to travel to the United States for what they described as urgent medical care.
However, the request has met resistance from the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT) and the Ministry of Justice, both of which argue that local medical options should first be fully explored before overseas treatment is approved.
In a statement issued Friday, June 5, 2026, AREPT disclosed that Criminal Court “C”, presided over by Judge Ousman F. Feika, directed an independent healthcare provider in Liberia to conduct a comprehensive medical examination of the former minister and advise the court on the necessity of her proposed foreign medical travel.
According to the court’s directive, the medical report is expected to be submitted within 48 hours of receipt of the communication.
Prosecution Raises Concerns
AREPT said its opposition to the travel request is based on the principle that medical treatment outside Liberia should only be considered after all reasonable local treatment options have been exhausted.
The Task Force further argued that any request for overseas medical treatment should be supported by credible medical evidence demonstrating that the required care cannot be adequately provided within Liberia.
Prosecutors also reportedly raised concerns about the potential impact such travel could have on ongoing judicial proceedings.
The court’s order for an independent medical assessment appears aimed at resolving the competing claims by obtaining an objective professional opinion regarding Diggs’ health condition and the availability of appropriate treatment within the country.
AREPT welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a balanced approach that safeguards both the rights of the defendant and the integrity of the judicial process.
“The Taskforce maintains that medical travel abroad should be considered only after all reasonable local treatment options have been exhausted and where credible medical evidence establishes that the required treatment cannot be adequately provided within Liberia,” the statement noted.
High-Profile Corruption Case
Madam Diggs is among eight individuals indicted in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds intended for the Rural Women Empowerment Project, a case that has drawn significant public attention.
According to court records and previous government disclosures, the indictment involves allegations surrounding approximately US$493,669.38 and L$190.3 million earmarked for rural women’s empowerment initiatives across Liberia.
The accused persons face multiple charges, including:
- Theft of Property
- Economic Sabotage
- Misapplication of Entrusted Property
- Criminal Conspiracy
The allegations stem from investigations launched by the Ministry of Justice and AREPT into the management and disbursement of funds intended to support rural women through economic empowerment programs.
The defendants have denied wrongdoing and are expected to contest the charges during trial proceedings.
A Case Under Intense Public Scrutiny
The Rural Women Empowerment Fund case has become one of the Boakai administration’s most closely watched anti-corruption prosecutions, given the amount of public funds involved and the prominence of several individuals named in the indictment.
The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force was established by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai as part of broader efforts to investigate allegations of corruption, recover stolen public assets, and support accountability measures within government institutions.
Since its establishment, the Task Force has worked alongside the Ministry of Justice in pursuing several investigations involving allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of public resources.
Awaiting the Medical Findings
Legal observers say the independent medical evaluation ordered by the court is likely to play a decisive role in determining whether Diggs will be permitted to travel abroad while her case remains pending.
Should the medical assessment conclude that adequate treatment is available within Liberia, the court may be less inclined to grant the request. Conversely, a finding that the required treatment cannot be provided locally could strengthen the defense’s application for overseas medical care.
For now, the court has chosen a middle course—seeking expert medical guidance before rendering a final decision on a matter that sits at the intersection of an individual’s right to healthcare and the state’s interest in ensuring accountability in a major public corruption case.
AREPT said it remains committed to working with the Ministry of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and recover public assets while respecting the constitutional rights of all parties appearing before the courts.
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