A Joint Civil Society Anti-Corruption Initiative (JOSCAI) led by the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, petitioned President Joseph N. Boakai to address issues affecting the nation including the current wave of corruption and taking action against officials of his government who have refused to declare their assets as required by law.
Reading the petition on behalf of the group, Program Manager Adolphus V. Banks said the president should suspend all 959 public officials out of the total of 1,281 appointees who, according to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission’s August 2024 report, have not declared their assets, incomes, and liabilities, thus grossly violating Part 10 of the Amended Code of Conduct for Public Officials.
“Submit a Bill to the Legislature for the removal of the Statute of Limitation that prohibits prosecution of corruption cases after five years, according to Chapters 4.2 and 4.3 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia. Adequately and timely fund public integrity and anti-graft institutions leading Liberia’s fight against corruption, fraud, waste and abuse. These include, but are not limited to the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission, General Auditing Commission, Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Financial Intelligence Agency, among others,” Group Spokesperson said.
He said the president must pursue an impartial and holistic fight against corruption that sees no sacred cows or does not protect the interest of certain individuals and groups, through taking timely and appropriate administrative and other actions against officials of the UP-led Government accused of grave acts of corruption and or abuse of public resources and trust.
Banks said despite these efforts, the fight against corruption in Liberia remains challenged and undermined by several factors, including weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws and policies, the absence and limitation of key laws and institutions for dealing with corruption in Liberia, and limited political will to decisively act against public officials and other individuals at the center of allegations of bad governance and corruption.
“Following years of inaction by the Liberian Government, it is high time that actions be taken against those credibly accused of corruption and bad governance, including those sanctioned by the US Government on corruption allegations and officials who have refused to declare their assets, incomes, and liabilities in blatant violation of the laws and yet sit comfortably in public offices without any reprimand,” he said.
He said civil society organizations look forward to the president’s fullest cooperation which is crucial to the effectiveness of the fight against corruption and bad governance in Liberia.
Banks said when the fight against corruption is buttressed by the effectiveness and efficiency in the application of anti-corruption laws and policies, victory is certain and the needs of citizens are prioritized.
According to him, the public resources previously susceptible to fraud, waste and abuse are judiciously allocated and transparently and accountably managed in accordance with the Public Financial Management Act, public procurement guidelines, and other appropriate legislations and frameworks. Meanwhile, Banks called on President Boakai to establish and ensure the full operationalization of the Witness Protection Unit in line with Section 1 of the Witness Protection Act of 2021.
By Tonita N. Coposn
