By: Melvin Flomo
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has welcomed the submission of a draft legislation seeking to establish a specialized National Anti-Corruption Court in Liberia, describing the move as a major step toward strengthening accountability and ending impunity for corruption.
In a press statement issued Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Monrovia, CENTAL praised President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for forwarding two landmark justice and anti-corruption bills to the Legislature. The bills include an Act establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court and another creating the National Anti-Corruption Court.
According to CENTAL, the establishment of the anti-corruption court will help address longstanding challenges in prosecuting corruption-related offenses, including overcrowded court dockets, delays in prosecution, weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and limited institutional capacity.
The institution also commended the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for collaborating with stakeholders in drafting the proposed legislation.
CENTAL noted that when established, the specialized court would have original jurisdiction over corruption cases, enabling faster trials and improving the fight against corruption across the country.
The anti-graft institution is now calling on both the House of Representatives and the Senate to conduct timely, open, and inclusive public hearings and ensure the speedy passage of the bill. CENTAL further urged the government to adequately fund the court through the national budget once established.
At the same time, the organization appealed to ordinary Liberians, civil society organizations, and the media to advocate for the passage and implementation of the legislation.
Meanwhile, CENTAL has expressed serious concern over findings contained in a recent compliance audit conducted by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) into Liberia’s revenue collection and reconciliation systems covering the period from July 1, 2018, to December 31, 2024.
According to the statement, the audit uncovered major discrepancies involving government revenue collection, including gaps between revenues recorded in the Tax Administration System and deposits reflected in the government’s Consolidated Revenue Account at the Central Bank of Liberia.
The audit also reportedly identified unauthorized withdrawals from transitory accounts, delayed remittances of government revenue, and inconsistencies involving the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) and the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS).
CENTAL said it is deeply troubled by revelations that more than US$257 million and over L$23 billion recorded in transitory bank accounts could not be traced to the General Revenue Account.
The organization also raised alarm over reported unauthorized withdrawals totaling US$59,786.14 and L$55,773.87 from transitory accounts during the audit period.
While acknowledging ongoing reform measures announced jointly by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and the Central Bank of Liberia, CENTAL stressed that the reforms are future-oriented and do not sufficiently address alleged past abuses and discrepancies.
As part of its recommendations, CENTAL called on the Legislature’s Joint Public Accounts Committee to conduct robust public hearings into the audit findings and ensure accountability for any wrongdoing.
The organization also urged the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Ministry of Justice, and other anti-graft institutions to launch timely criminal investigations into the reported discrepancies and abuses.
CENTAL further called on the government to regularly update the public on the implementation of audit recommendations and efforts aimed at safeguarding public resources intended for national development.
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