By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) is deeply concerned with the slow process of prosecution of corruption crimes in all the courts around Liberia.
In his remarks at the celebration of the International Anti-Corruption Day recently, the LACC boss said in order to remedy and provide speedy prosecution of corruption crimes, they are recommending to the Legislature for the enactment and passage of a new law establishing a specialized court for the prosecution of corrupt public officials and private persons held liable for corrupt offenses.
LACC Executive Chairman Edwin Kla Martin said he has realized that fighting corruption requires extraordinary energy and courage.
“The fight against corruption is not an easy fight; I heard about the risk and danger in the fight against corruption before joining the LACC” he averred.
Chairman Martin said as the world unites against corruption, it is their responsibility to have a national movement that tackles corruption from all angles of the society.
He stressed that all stakeholders and citizens must amalgamate under one umbrella of unity to declare war against corruption.
“Assets Declaration is very cardinal to matching people’s income with their expenditure and ensuring that we check on what was declared and what was acquired after departure,” Cllr. Martin asserted.
“As today, December 9, 2022 marks the second International Anti-Corruption Day under my watch as Executive Chairman of the LACC, I can happily report that the LACC under my leadership has investigated and forwarded more cases to the Ministry of Justice in this year than any other year since the Commission was founded more than a decade ago,” Cllr. Martin boasted.
He added that in his capacity as Vice president of the Regional Anti-Corruption Body of West Africa, he will continue to exert himself for more regional cooperation and support to member institutions.
However, he noted that the Commission has further secured the restitution of more resources and placed in the national coffers monies than any time in the history of the Commission.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Martin appreciated the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for the cooperation given to the LACC, and that he is encouraging them to do more as the LACC intensifies its fight against corruption.
He also thanked the development partners for their overwhelming support from the United Nations System in Liberia through the UNDP for the collaboration and support in the observance of this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day.