LACC Embraces New Powers, Pushes for Passage of Specialized Anti-Corruption Court

The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) says it is making significant strides in the fight against corruption following the adoption of a new legal framework that grants the institution direct prosecutorial powers. Speaking during an exclusive interview with the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Ms. Vivian S. Akoto, Executive Assistant and Program Manager to the Office of the Executive Chairperson, emphasized the importance of public awareness of the Commission’s new mandate.

“A lot of people are still unfamiliar with the new structure and authority of the LACC,” Madam Akoto explained. “Under the previous Act, we could only prosecute a case after the Ministry of Justice failed to take action within 90 days. Today, the amended Act allows us to go directly to court….this is a major victory in the anti-corruption space.”

Alongside her was Mr. James K. Kingsley, Executive Director of the Commission, who highlighted the institution’s Education & Prevention efforts and progress since the appointment of the new leadership team in August 2023.

As part of efforts to demonstrate transparency, Madam Akoto shared that the Commission recently published a comprehensive list of concluded investigations for 2024, noting that 28 cases were completed as of February. However, not all those cases are proceeding to court. Some lacked probable cause, while others were referred to the Ombudsman or resulted in full clearance of the individuals involved.

Despite these gains, she stressed one critical challenge: the lack of a specialized court for corruption cases. “We are now empowered to prosecute, but we face significant delays due to limited courtroom space,” she said. “Currently, all our cases go to Criminal Court ‘C,’ which also handles a wide range of other criminal matters. This creates serious delays and public frustration.”

To remedy this, the LACC has launched a campaign for the establishment and passage of the law creating Criminal Court ‘F’, a specialized anti-corruption court. “If we investigate all these cases and there’s no speedy trial, the public will not appreciate the fight against corruption,” Madam Akoto emphasized. “The passage of this court into law is essential to restoring public trust in our justice system.”

The Commission has also undergone structural changes. The number of Commissioners has increased from five to seven, and four key departments now drive its work: Administration, Legal and Prosecution, Monitoring and Investigation, and Education and Prevention.

While challenges remain—from resource limitations to public skepticism—the LACC remains committed to deepening accountability in Liberia. “We’re not where we want to be yet,” Madam Akoto concluded, “but we’re certainly not where we used to be. The LACC is better equipped, more determined, and more proactive than ever before.”

Stay tuned to our social media platforms and website as we continue to publish updates and keep the public informed on the progress of our anti-corruption efforts.