By Amos Harris
The Liberian government’s ongoing campaign against corruption and the misuse of public resources gained renewed momentum at Criminal Court “C” as key testimony in the controversial US$6.2 million national security fund trial reinforced the state’s commitment to transparency and institutional reform. In a major courtroom development, Baba Mohammed Boika, the lead investigator for the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), presented detailed testimony shedding light on how former senior security officials allegedly handled disputed funds outside established legal and financial procedures. This testimony is widely viewed as a strong indication of the government’s determination to ensure that no public official, regardless of their past position or influence, remains above the law.
Appearing under rigorous cross-examination, Boika provided what prosecutors described as compelling evidence linking former National Security Advisor Jefferson S. Karmoh to a chain of decisions that allegedly enabled the withdrawal and eventual disappearance of funds earmarked for national security operations. These revelations have elevated the case beyond a simple missing-money investigation, positioning it as a significant national effort to strengthen confidence in Liberia’s justice system and public financial governance, particularly within the sensitive national security sector.
A central point of the testimony involved allegations that Karmoh exceeded his authority by involving the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) in joint security operations without the formal approval of the National Security Council. Under Liberia’s legal framework, such decisions must pass through proper institutional channels, including endorsement by the council under the chairmanship of the Minister of Justice. By bringing these procedural failures to light, the government is demonstrating a resolve to reinforce lawful governance standards and protect public institutions from the abuse of office.
Prosecutors referenced a communication from July 5, 2022, which allegedly confirmed the FIA’s involvement in the operation without a legal basis. Investigators contend this marked the beginning of an irregular process that led to the transfer of the US$6.2 million. Boika’s testimony suggested that the process was driven by informal instructions rather than established protocol, an issue the government is now confronting directly through the courts. The case has also expanded to include questions regarding former Acting Justice Minister Nyanti Tuan, who reportedly informed the FIA in September 2023 that funds had been secured for national security purposes, though the source of those funds was never disclosed.
For governance observers, the government’s willingness to allow the full scope of this investigation to unfold publicly is a positive signal of its reform agenda. A major breakthrough in the prosecution’s case remains the tracing of the funds to the FIA before they were reportedly withdrawn in cash. From that point, investigators say the money could no longer be accounted for. Boika informed the court that former FIA Comptroller Moses Cooper allegedly gave conflicting statements during the investigation, initially claiming the money was handed over to unidentified persons at a commercial bank before later claiming it was left at the Central Bank of Liberia with an unsigned third party. Prosecutors argue these contradictions highlight why public sector financial reforms are urgently necessary.
“We were able to track the money up to the point it was withdrawn,” Boika told the court, noting that there has since been no clear account of its usage. This testimony has become a defining moment in the proceedings, underscoring the government’s insistence that every public dollar must be traceable and lawfully documented. Furthermore, the witness highlighted the absence of any credible evidence showing that the money reached a legitimate joint security institution, challenging earlier claims that the funds were used for sensitive operations. The LACC emphasized that even classified expenditures must comply with internal verification and documentation procedures.
While Boika acknowledged that investigators do not currently have evidence placing Karmoh in direct physical possession of the cash, prosecutors argue that officials who initiate or facilitate unlawful financial pathways remain legally accountable. This aligns with the government’s broader policy that leadership authority must always carry responsibility. Further testimony exposed serious procedural violations, including the absence of a formal National Security Council request to the Ministry of Finance and the discovery of three transfer documents that were allegedly not properly authorized.
As proceedings continue on Monday, April 13, 2026, the trial is increasingly seen as a landmark test of Liberia’s anti-corruption agenda. Beyond the individuals on trial, the case symbolizes a broader national commitment to restoring trust in public institutions, protecting state resources, and ensuring that due process prevails in the face of financial misconduct.