By Amos Harris
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has announced major progress in its ongoing anti-graft campaign, while outlining persistent challenges and a landmark initiative to establish a dedicated National Anti-Corruption Court that would significantly strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.
Speaking during the Commission’s third-quarter briefing for 2025 at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, Executive Chairperson of the LACC, provided updates on investigations, reforms, and inter-agency collaborations aimed at improving transparency and accountability across public institutions.
Cllr. Zoe reaffirmed the Commission’s threefold mandate to investigate, prosecute, and educate, emphasizing that corruption cannot be defeated by government alone. “The fight against corruption is not the government’s fight alone; it is the fight of every Liberian,” she declared.
A key highlight of Zoe’s presentation was the renewed push to establish a National Anti-Corruption Court. She recalled that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai earlier this year issued Executive Order No. 148, directing the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Courts to also oversee efforts toward creating the specialized court.
According to Zoe, the final draft of the Act establishing the court will be presented to the Legislature by November 2025, with full operationalization projected for 2026. Once operational, the court will provide the LACC with prosecutorial powers, expedite corruption trials, and facilitate the recovery of stolen public assets.
As Vice President of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), Cllr. Zoe underscored Liberia’s growing role in regional anti-graft efforts. She noted that through partnerships with NACIWA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Liberia has strengthened its investigative capacity and aligned with best practices across West Africa.
From July to September 2025, the LACC conducted several public awareness and capacity-building programs, including a two-day Investigative Journalism Training in Ganta, Nimba County, which brought together journalists from all 15 counties. Integrity and ethics training were also held for local government officials in Lofa, Bong, and Grand Cape Mount Counties to promote ethical leadership.
As part of its decentralization initiative, the LACC identified new regional offices in Bong and Grand Bassa Counties to serve as anti-corruption hubs for surrounding areas, including Nimba, Margibi, and River Cess Counties.
During the third quarter, the Commission received 216 asset declarations from public officials—174 from the Executive Branch, 46 from the Legislature, and several from the Judiciary, including Associate Justice Jarbee W. M. Kollie. However, 140 officials remain non-compliant, and their names are expected to be published by December 2025. Cllr. Zoe praised the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for achieving 100 percent compliance, describing it as a “model institution for transparency and accountability.”
To enhance inter-agency coordination, the LACC signed two key Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) during the quarter:
- With the Global Fund, to ensure transparency and accountability in health-related projects managed through the Ministry of Health.
- With the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), to improve cooperation in tracking suspicious transactions and freezing illicit accounts.
Cllr. Zoe described these partnerships as “critical instruments” for safeguarding public resources and reinforcing donor confidence in Liberia’s governance systems.
Between July and September 2025, the LACC monitored 48 new cases and continued work on 96 ongoing investigations, bringing the total to 144 active cases. Of these, 15 were prioritized due to their financial magnitude, availability of evidence, and public interest.
Major investigations involved the Ministry of Health, National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Commission, Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), and the Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE). Preliminary findings indicate potential losses of US$6.5 million and L$17.9 million to the government.
The Commission also secured three indictments in Montserrado County involving the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), and Liberia Road and Rail Corporation (LRRC). Additional indictments were obtained in the Lofa County University and Bomi County University corruption cases.
Cllr. Zoe lamented that repeated legal motions from defendants often delay proceedings—a problem the proposed Anti-Corruption Court aims to address by ensuring swift adjudication of graft cases.
Despite major gains, the LACC continues to face budgetary constraints and delayed allotments, which sometimes slow field operations. Nevertheless, Zoe acknowledged improved cooperation from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), allowing for greater field presence and increased indictments.
Cllr. Zoe reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering dedication to promoting integrity and transparency in public life. “Let us all work together to build a more transparent, accountable, and prosperous Liberia,” she urged, extending appreciation to the UNDP, Global Fund, FIA, civil society organizations, and the media for their continued support.
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