MONROVIA, Liberia — The Management of MDMC has condemned what it calls an “unprovoked and reckless armed raid” by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT) that led to the early‑morning arrest of its Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, John S. Youboty, at his residence, and urged an independent investigation into the conduct of officers involved.
“We believe that this unprovoked attack threatens to scare away investors, as it showcases how corporate entities are treated in Liberia, particularly when they have active and valid contracts,” an MDMC spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the episode “raises serious concerns about due process.”
Contract context and disputed quality claims MDMC said the dispute centers on renovation contracts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including elevator installations funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company put the combined value of the contracts at more than US$1.9 million and said it completed the civil works in three segments, with “thorough documentation” submitted to the ministry.
Despite that, the firm claims it has waited more than 15 months for a formal assessment and payment of outstanding balances, including “over US$526,000 for additional work.” MDMC alleges the ministry’s leadership ignored its own legal advice and instead referred the matter to AREPT, resulting in an “unjust indictment” of Youboty.
AREPT has publicly questioned the quality and accountability of certain Foreign Affairs renovation works, a claim MDMC rejects. “These claims are false and speculative,” the company said. “We have acted in good faith, delivering quality work that has contributed to Liberia’s infrastructure development.”
Call for transparency and due process MDMC called for “an immediate and thorough investigation” into AREPT’s actions and the role of law enforcement in the arrest, urging transparency and adherence to legal procedures. The company said it remains committed to its operations and to “legal and ethical business practices” in Liberia, and will keep the public informed as the case progresses.
Business climate concerns The incident has sparked debate among local business leaders and investors about corporate protections and the importance of predictable, rules‑based enforcement. “Protecting corporate rights and ensuring laws are upheld without abuse of power is essential for investor confidence,” the company said, adding that the case “may serve as a pivotal moment” for governance and legal‑framework integrity in Liberia. Background AREPT recently announced indictments tied to a Foreign Affairs renovation contract managed by MDMC, saying an independent engineering assessment found unaccounted‑for works. MDMC disputes those findings. As of press time, AREPT and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued new statements responding to MDMC’s latest assertions. All parties named are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in court.
