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By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, July 2, 2026 – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC) have endorsed the creation of a specialized National Anti-Corruption Court, describing it as a major step toward expediting corruption prosecutions, ending impunity, and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
Speaking Tuesday, at the National Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue in Monrovia, LACC Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe said the draft legislation submitted by the Executive Branch to establish the court addresses a longstanding gap in Liberia’s anti-corruption framework.
Zoe said although the LACC was granted prosecutorial powers through amendments to its enabling law, the absence of a specialized court has slowed the prosecution of corruption cases and asset recovery efforts.
She described the proposed court as a “forward step” that would speed up the adjudication of corruption cases, improve judicial efficiency, strengthen consistency in anti-corruption rulings, and ensure both due process for accused persons and accountability for those found guilty.
According to Zoe, corruption continues to undermine Liberia’s development by diverting public resources, weakening institutions, discouraging investment, and eroding citizens’ trust in government.
She noted that delays in adjudicating corruption cases have weakened the impact of the Commission’s investigations and stressed that successful implementation of the proposed court would require sustained political commitment, judicial independence, adequate funding, trained judicial personnel, and continued collaboration among state institutions, civil society, and development partners.
Also addressing the dialogue, Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, described the proposed court as an important component of broader justice and accountability reforms in Liberia.
Barbu said the dialogue reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening transparency and accountability, adding that corruption and impunity can be overcome through collective action by government, civil society, and citizens.
He cited recent government initiatives, including Judicial Resolution No. 001-24 and Executive Orders 131, 148, and 164 issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, as evidence of growing commitment to accountability reforms.
Barbu expressed confidence that the National Anti-Corruption Court would eventually become operational, despite anticipated resistance from those who may be affected by its work.
Both officials also acknowledged the support of the Embassy of Ireland, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), and other governance-focused civil society organizations for organizing the policy dialogue.
The National Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue brought together representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and citizens to discuss the establishment of specialized judicial mechanisms to strengthen the prosecution of corruption and economic crimes in Liberia.
