By Bill W. Cooper
The Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. Alexandra Zoe has called for the establishment of a specialized Anti-Corruption Court, which aims to enhance the government’s capacity to effectively address corruption-related offences in the country.
Cllr. Zoe also emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated court to handle corruption cases, which have affected Liberia for decades, and noted, “Corruption is a cancer that undermines our democracy, stifles economic growth, and erodes public trust.”
“As such, an Anti-Corruption Court would provide a focused and efficient mechanism to prosecute offenders and deter future acts of corruption, as well as restore public trust in the governing structure of the country,” she maintained.
However, the LACC Boss call comes in the wake of increasing public outcry over corruption scandals involving past and current high-ranking government officials, coupled with the misappropriation of public funds.
The LACC has recently been investigating numerous cases where public resources have been diverted for personal gain, leading to widespread disillusionment among citizens who have long suffered from the consequences of corruption.
The Anti-Corruption Court, once established, would operate independently from the regular judicial system, with judges specifically trained in anti-corruption laws and practices to expedite the trial process for corruption cases, ensuring that justice is served swiftly and effectively.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the NAYMOTE-Liberia Summit for Democracy and Political Accountability recently, Cllr. Zoe furthered that such a court would not only enhance accountability but also serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.
During the Panel discussion, under the theme, “Improving Public Sector Governance and Accountability: The Role of Integrity Institutions”, Zoe asserted, “Establishing an Anti-Corruption Court is not just about punishing wrongdoers; it’s about creating a culture of integrity and transparency in our society.”
Cllr. Zoe, at the same time, highlighted the challenges of delayed corruption cases due to the current’s reliance on Criminal Court C, which handles both corruption cases and cases involving private citizens.
She further narrated that the creation of an Anti-Corruption Court would ensure that corruption cases are handled more swiftly, enabling the LACC to operate more efficiently in its fight against corruption.
“The delay in handling corruption cases is often due to the limited capacity of the current court system. When an Anti-Corruption Court is established, our cases will be dealt with more quickly, and the Commission’s work will run more smoothly,” Zoe explained.
The LACC Chairperson also commented on the Commission’s broad mandate, which includes investigating and prosecuting corruption, educating the public about the dangers of corruption, and recovering assets stolen through corrupt practices.
She emphasized that these recovered assets are returned to the government for public use, thus disclosing the LACC’s ongoing decentralization efforts, which aim to expand its reach across the country.
She recalled the recent trips to Bong and Nimba Counties, with plans to visit Bomi County soon, highlighting the Commission’s ongoing efforts to digitalize the asset declaration process, allowing individuals to declare their assets remotely from their homes or offices.
