Friday, February 16, 2024 – Monrovia, Liberia – The Body of Commissioners (BoC) of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) on Friday paid a visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. J. Fonati Koffa at his Capitol Building office.
Speaking on behalf of the BoC, the Executive Chairperson, Cllr. Alexandra Zoe congratulated Hon. Koffa on his election as Speaker of the 55th Legislature.
Cllr. Zoe elucidated to the Speaker that the visit was a courtesy call and also to discuss ways in which the LACC can collaborate with the lower house in the fight against corruption in Liberia. She highlighted draft bills that are expected to be forwarded to the Committee Rooms at the Legislature including the draft bill to establish the Anti-Corruption Court and amend the Statute of Limitation in the Penal Code for corruption acts to name a few.
Cllr. Zoe also informed Speaker Koffa that the asset declaration exercise for exiting government officials has closed and the Commission has begun to receive declarations from incoming government officials. She called on the Speaker to encourage his colleagues to declare their assets directly with the LACC.
She noted that the current filing of asset declaration being done with the Clerk of the House of Representatives is in violation of the code of conduct and the act establishing the LACC. She also noted that the LACC looks forward to the establishment of the office of the Ombudsman to help enforce sanctions for violations of the Code of Conduct.
The LACC boss offered the availability of staff from the Asset Declaration office to give assistance to members of the House who will need guidance in filling out the forms as the need arises.
The Body of Commissioners also used the occasion to inform the Speaker about other trends of events including the three indictments cases that are awaiting trial among other issues to claim his attention.
After an opened and frank exchange of discussion, the Speaker told the Body of Commissioners that one of the ways to deter corruption is for the LACC to begin to publish any indictments once an investigation is concluded. He noted that once this done it will serve as a deterrent to other officials of government that the LACC is serious to fight corruption.
The Speaker commended the work of the LACC and told the BoC that he will champion the cause of not only the LACC but also other integrity bodies.
Speaker Koffa also welcomed the suggestion proffered by Cllr. Zoe to have an asset declaration staff come to the Capitol Building and assist members of the House in filling out the forms. He said Hon. Foday Fahnbulleh of Bong County, District #7, Chairman on the Committee of Good Governance will work along with the LACC in this regard.
In conclusion, Hon. Koffa told the LACC Commissioners that he will ensure that the Bill for the Establishment of an Anti-Corruption Court will be brought on the floor and passed into law and thanked the Body of Commissioners for their visit and assured them that the doors of his office will always be opened for them.