By Bill W. Cooper
The Chairperson-designate of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Alexandra Kormah Zoe, has stressed for the enactment of a corruption court, so as to fast-track the cases of corruption in the country.
Madam Zoe said that the court, once established, would enable the commission to effectively carry out its mandate to ensure the prosecution of all corrupt government officials independently.
She made the remark Wednesday, July 19, 2023, during her confirmation hearing at the Liberian Senate, along with other designated commissioners of the commission in Monrovia.
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Autonomous Commissions and Agencies conducted the confirmation hearings for the remaining five commissioners-designate of the LACC, in line with its statutory responsibility.
According to our reporter, the Committee, during the Wednesday’s hearing, cross-examined Madam Zoe and Ernest Hughes, Executive Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson designate respectively, as well as Samuel F. Dakana, Miatta Jeh, and Randolph Tebbs, Commissioners –designate.
It can be recalled that on June 8, 2023, President George M. Weah, following a rigorous scrutiny, nominated seven commissioners of the LACC, following its reestablishment by the Liberian Legislature.
Those nominated by the President include Alexandra Kormah Zoe-Executive Chairperson-designate, Mr. Ernest R. Hughes-Vice Chairperson-designate, Mr. Randolph E. Tebbs-Commissioner-designate-Monitoring and Investigation, Miatta Jeh-Commissioner-designate-Monitoring and Investigation, and Samuel F. Dakana- Commissioner- Monitoring and Investigation, amongst others.
The LACC Executive Chairperson-designate furthered that if confirmed, she and her team will endeavor to investigate and prosecute individuals and institutions that will engage in acts of corruption, without fear nor favor.
Madam Zoe noted that based on International reports, corruption is prevalent in Liberia, and as such, when confirmed, one of the major tasks of the Commission will be geared towards raising the bar against corruption.
She also mentioned that when confirmed, the commission will develop and adopt an internal code of conduct to hold employees of the entity to very high ethical standards.
According to her, the commission, under her watch, will be decentralized, adding “Currently, the Commission’s work is centered in Monrovia, when corruption occurs in all parts of the Country”.
Commenting on education, she added that if confirmed, the Commission will collaborate with the Ministry of Education to develop courses on the issue of corruption, to be taught in various schools in the Country.
This, she asserted, “And when that is done, our children will begin to learn the effect of corruption and how bad it is for the development of our country, as well as their own future.”
Following the Hearings, the Committee is expected to report its findings to full Plenary for subsequent actions in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the committee initially conducted confirmation hearing for Oretha Snyder Davis and David A. B. Wilson- Commissioners-designate for prosecution.
