A Major Move to Combat Corruption in Liberia
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has taken a significant step in its ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of investigations into corruption and financial misconduct. In a formal letter dated July 1, 2025, LACC Executive Chairperson Alexandra Korma Zoe requested the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) to impose temporary travel restrictions on over 20 high-profile individuals suspected of involvement in such activities.
Key Individuals Targeted
The list of individuals affected by the travel restrictions includes former senior officials from several key institutions. Among them are former leaders of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), the Liberia Refugee, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), and the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL). Additionally, key actors involved in the Gbarpolu Yellow Machine project have also been included.
At the LTA, the targeted individuals include Abdullah Kamara, former CEO of TAMMA Corporation; Edwina Zackpa, former Chairperson; Maria G. Harrison, former Chairperson; Israel M. Akinsanya, former Commissioner; Ivan G. Brown, former Commissioner; and Hon. Zotawon I. Titus, former Commissioner.
For the LRRRC, the individuals affected are Executive Director Patrick T. Worzie; Alieu Fofana, Director of Monitoring & Evaluation; Comptroller Joseph Wea; and Jeredine Koleh, Director of the Humanitarian Department.
At NOCAL, the restricted individuals are Chief Executive Officer Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis; Comptroller Richmond Jallah; and Edmond K. Massaquoi, IT Technician at the Ministry of Transport.
In relation to the Gbarpolu Yellow Machine case, the LACC has flagged Gbarpolu County Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah; Oumaru Sheriff, Chief Executive Officer of City Lion Incorporated; Hon. J. Keyah Saah, Superintendent of the Gbarpolu Project Management Committee (GPMC); Anthony Yorkor, Fiscal Superintendent of the GPMC; and Robert Benda, Chairman of the GPMC.
Inter-Agency Collaboration
The letter was also copied to several top-level national security institutions, including the Minister of Justice & Attorney General, the Director General of the National Security Agency, the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, and the Executive Director of the Financial Intelligence Agency. This move highlights the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing systemic corruption.
Zoe emphasized that “the LACC underscores the vital importance of inter-agency cooperation in our collective efforts to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law.”
Implications and Public Reaction
While the LACC did not disclose specific details of the investigations, sources close to the matter suggest that the affected individuals may face charges ranging from embezzlement and abuse of public office to procurement fraud and gross mismanagement of public resources.
This travel ban request comes at a time when the Boakai administration is under increasing pressure to deliver on its promise to fight corruption aggressively and transparently. A legal analyst, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “This is a strong signal that no one is above the law. But for these actions to resonate with the public, the government must ensure that these investigations result in actual prosecutions and not just political theater.”
With indictments said to be imminent, all eyes are now on the LACC, the Ministry of Justice, and the courts to see whether these cases will mark a turning point in Liberia’s long struggle against corruption—or fade into the background as has happened so many times before.
Enforcement and Next Steps
The LIS is yet to release an official statement confirming the implementation of the travel ban, but a source within the agency indicated that all necessary systems are being activated to enforce the restriction at all exit points. This development marks a critical moment in the ongoing fight against corruption in Liberia, with the potential to set a precedent for future actions.
