The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has welcomed the passage of the Anti-Corruption Law by the National Legislature, and called on all public officials to take cognizance of their obligations to declare their assets, as required by law.
In a statement issued Wednesday, June 2, 2021, the LACC reminded all current public officials and those required by law to commence the process of declaring their assets, in line with law and statutory regulations, which mandate declarations and re-declarations every 3 years, on the last Friday of July.
The statement also reminded all concerned public servants in different branches of government to commence the declarations of their assets in the following manner: those in the Executive Branch should declare at the LACC; the Judiciary Branch, to the Clerk of the Supreme Court; and members of the Legislature to both the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
In another development, The LACC says it takes note of report in the press regarding the 2015—2017 GAC Audit of the LACC, which covers a 4-year period, ending with the 2017 fiscal year.
The LACC says it has seen the audit reports, which was conducted four years ago, and the LACC is thoroughly reviewing them to ensure there is full accountability on issues raised in the report relating to past officials of the Commission.
The LACC noted that, given the transition of leadership at the entity, especially in regards to the period covered in the report, it is calling for the cooperation of all past leaders of the Commission to assist with the investigation of the report.
Finally, the LACC says it has seen strong determination on the part of the leadership of the National Legislature to see through the passage of several draft anti-corruption instruments submitted to that body.
The Commission added that it is particularly touched by the leadership demonstrated by Representative Cllr. J. Kanie Wesso, Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, for his sincere efforts to see the legislations passed. The LACC emphasized that the passage of these crucial legislations will be critical to repositioning the anti-corruption architecture of the country. The proposed legislations, among other things, give the LACC direct prosecutorial powers and allow for a uniform assets declaration process.