By Lloydson G.Flomo
MONROVIA, June 9 (LINA) – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has welcomed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s submission of a draft legislation seeking the establishment of a specialized National Anti-Corruption Court, describing the move as a major breakthrough in Liberia’s fight against corruption and impunity.
In a press conference held Wednesday, May 27, 2026 in Monrovia, CENTAL Boss Anderson Miamen hailed the Executive Mansion for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Courts (WECC) for advancing two landmark justice bills to the Legislature — “An Act Establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court” and “An Act Establishing the National Anti-Corruption Court.”
The anti-graft institution said the proposed court would address longstanding barriers that have weakened anti-corruption enforcement in Liberia, including overcrowded court dockets, delayed prosecution of corruption cases, weak institutional capacity, and limited financing.
“By providing original jurisdiction and exclusive authority to hear corruption-related cases, the court will ensure swift trials, significantly promote accountability, and help end impunity for corruption and related abuses in Liberia,” Miaman said.
The Institution called on members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to conduct timely, transparent, and inclusive hearings to ensure speedy passage of the legislation and adequate budgetary support for the proposed court.
CENTAL also urged civil society organizations, the media, and ordinary Liberians to demand urgent action from both the Legislature and the Executive Branch to establish the court as the statement comes amid growing public concern over accountability and financial integrity following a recent compliance audit conducted by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) covering Liberia’s revenue collection, reporting, and reconciliation systems from July 1, 2018, to December 31, 2024.
According to CENTAL, the audit uncovered “major discrepancies” that pose serious risks of corruption and loss of public funds adding that the audit reportedly identified inconsistencies between revenues recorded in the Tax Administration System and deposits made into the government’s Consolidated Revenue Account at the Central Bank of Liberia.
The audit also highlighted gaps involving Transitory Bank Accounts, irregular reversal transactions, unauthorized withdrawals, delayed remittances, and variances between customs billing and payment systems.
CENTAL expressed concern over findings that more than US$257 million and over L$23.6 billion recorded in transitory accounts could not be traced to the General Revenue Account noting that the revelations of unauthorized withdrawals from government transitory accounts and concerns that taxes collected at rural customs and tax offices were held in cash for extended periods, exposing public resources to theft and abuse.
“These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of Liberia’s financial resources,” Miaman recounted.
CENTAL acknowledged ongoing reform efforts announced jointly by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), including tighter monitoring mechanisms, mandatory daily reporting by commercial banks, and upgrades to the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA).