In a stunning setback for Liberia’s anti-corruption campaign, former Acting Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Abdullah Kamara has been acquitted for the second time on corruption-related charges linked to the controversial Liberia Digital Transformation Project.
A unanimous 12-member jury sitting at the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Grand Bassa County on Friday returned a “not guilty” verdict on all six criminal counts against Kamara, delivering a major blow to prosecutors from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and raising fresh concerns about the government’s strategy in pursuing high-profile corruption cases.
Kamara had been accused of economic sabotage, fraud on internal revenue, misuse of public money, theft of property, criminal conspiracy, and criminal facilitation.
However, prosecutors alleged that more than US$52,000 and L$2.5 million intended for a 2023 digital skills training program for 10,000 Liberian youths were misappropriated through transactions involving companies connected to Kamara. Also, after hearing evidence and arguments from both sides, jurors unanimously rejected the prosecution’s case.
The verdict marks Kamara’s second courtroom victory over the LACC in the same matter. An earlier indictment filed in Montserrado County was dismissed by Criminal Court “C” Judge Joe Barkon, who ruled that prosecutors had improperly identified Kamara as Chief Executive Officer of TAMMA Corporation and failed to correctly structure the charges against him.
Despite the setback, the LACC secured a fresh indictment from a Grand Bassa County grand jury in August 2025, accusing Kamara of direct involvement in the alleged misconduct during his tenure as CEO of TAMMA Corporation. He was subsequently re-arrested and detained before securing release on a US$295,033.33 criminal appearance bond.
Outside the courthouse, Kamara’s lead defense attorney, Counselor Amara Sheriff, hailed the verdict as a triumph of justice and evidence over speculation. “We the defense team are not the heroes. The jurors are the heroes and heroines because they followed the law and the evidence,” Sheriff told reporters. He described the acquittal as a restoration of Kamara’s integrity, reputation, and constitutional rights. The case stemmed from a General Auditing Commission (GAC) report that questioned millions of Liberian dollars and hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars paid by the LTA to TAMMA
Corporation and 231 Data Incorporated for the Liberia Digital Transformation Project. Auditors reported an absence of contracts, procurement records, and documentation proving that the services were delivered. While Kamara’s company was identified as a beneficiary of the transactions, his defense consistently argued that the prosecution failed to establish criminal wrongdoing beyond reasonable doubt.
The latest acquittal is expected to intensify public debate over the effectiveness of Liberia’s anti-corruption efforts. Critics have increasingly questioned why some individuals linked to the project, including former LTA Chairperson Edwina Zackpah, have not faced similar prosecution while Kamara was repeatedly pursued through the courts.
With two jury victories now behind him, Kamara emerges legally vindicated, while the LACC faces mounting pressure to explain its prosecutorial approach in one of Liberia’s most closely watched corruption cases.
