In Liberia, the practice of prioritizing friendship over the law, also known as nepotism, cronyism, or favoritism, can pose significant dangers to governance, social equity, and national development. Friendship and compromises are common in various countries, and its consequences can be especially damaging in nations like Liberia, which are striving for democratic governance, rule of law, and economic recovery.
Corruption is a persistent issue in Liberia throughout many administrations, affecting governance, economic development, and public trust in institutions. Over the years, several corruption cases have remained unresolved continuously, with key figures in government, business, and public administration accused of misappropriation, fraud, and embezzlement. Yet no efforts have been made to boost public trust and confidence when these issues arise. Below are some notable unresolved corruption cases in Liberia in modern era since 2006.
The National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) Scandal (2013-2015)
The NOCAL scandal involved allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption at the National Oil Company of Liberia. During the presidency of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, NOCAL, was tasked with managing Liberia’s oil resources, but was accused of squandering millions of dollars due to excessive spending and poor financial oversight. Despite multiple investigations, no high-ranking officials allegedly involved were prosecuted, and the case has remained unresolved, leading to public outrage over the lack of accountability.
The Ellen Corkrum and the Liberia Airport Authority (2013) corruption saga.
Ellen Corkrum, the former Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), was accused of embezzling over $1 million from the authority fund. Corkrum fled the country to the United States, where she has remained, avoiding prosecution. Although the Liberian government issued an indictment, no extradition has occurred, leaving the case forever unresolved and raising questions about Liberia’s ability to pursue justice in corruption cases involving international fugitives and appointees with relationship to power.
The $25 Million “Mop-Up” Exercise (2018)
In 2018, the George Weah administration launched a $25 million “mop-up” exercise to stabilize the Liberian dollar by purchasing excess currency from the market. However, an investigation by the Presidential Investigation Team (PIT) and the General Auditing Commission (GAC) revealed irregularities and mismanagement in how the funds were used. The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) was implicated in the mismanagement, but despite these efforts and findings, no significant conclusive legal actions have been taken against top officials involved, leaving the case unresolved and paralyzed.
The Missing LD$16 Billion(2018)
One of Liberia’s most infamous recent corruption cases involved the mysterious disappearance of LD$16 billion (approximately $100 million at the time) in newly printed Liberian banknotes. The currency was supposed to be shipped to Liberia for circulation but allegedly vanished in thin air. After international and local investigations, conflicting reports emerged, with some claiming the money never went missing, while others highlighted irregularities in the handling and distribution of the funds identified. Despite widespread public outcry, the case has not resulted in prosecutions of any major figures, and the full details remain murky.
The Education Ministry’s School Feeding Program (2020)
The Ministry of Education was accused of mismanaging funds allocated for a school feeding program designed to provide meals to children across Liberia. An investigation by the GAC revealed significant discrepancies in how funds were spent and noted that a large portion of the money did not reach the intended beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the report called for further investigation, no meaningful legal action has been taken to resolve the case or hold individuals allegedly involved accountable.
The former Auditor General John Morlu and the $3 Million Corruption Allegation (2013)
John Morlu, the former Auditor General of Liberia, accused senior officials in the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration of being involved in a $3 million corruption scheme related to government contracts. Mr. Morlu raised numerous allegations of corrupt practices, most of these accusations were never fully investigated but remined resolved. The failure to thoroughly investigate these claims further highlights Liberia’s challenges in tackling high-level corruption cases.
The COVID-19 Relief Fund Mismanagement (2020)
In 2020, the Liberian government allocated significant funds and donations to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and provide relief to struggling citizens. The fund was largely squandered. However, reports surfaced alleging that the relief funds were mismanaged, and the intended beneficiaries did not receive the support they needed during height of the global pandemic. Investigations into how the funds were handled have not resulted in any major legal consequences for those involved, leaving the case hanging and /or unsettled.
The National Road Fund Mismanagement (2021)
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) launched an investigation into the mismanagement of Liberia’s National Road Fund. Millions of dollars allocated for road construction and maintenance were allegedly misappropriated and/ or misused. Despite findings of corruption and mismanagement, no substantial prosecutions or recoveries of the funds have taken place, leaving the case uncertain.
Friendship affects the law
Erosion of Rule of Law
When decisions are based on personal relationships rather than legal principles, it undermines the foundation of the legal system. Favoring friends or associates over what the law dictates weakens trust in legal institutions, leading to widespread lawlessness and impunity. This creates an environment where rules are inconsistently applied, and individuals believe they can act without consequence if they have the right connections.
Corruption and Lack of Accountability
Friendship-based governance often leads to corruption, as individuals in positions of power may feel compelled to protect their friends from legal consequences. This manifests as mismanagement of public resources, bribery, or embezzlement, as officials place personal loyalty above public duty. When friends and family are shielded from scrutiny, accountability mechanisms, such as audits or investigations, are often undermined.
Poor Governance and Public Services
Appointing individuals based on friendship rather than merit leads to the placement of unqualified or incompetent people in key positions. This results in inefficiency, poor decision-making, and weakened public institutions. Public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development suffer as those in charge lack the expertise needed to manage effectively.
Disenfranchisement and Social Division
Friendship over law perpetuates inequality by favoring a select group while marginalizing others. Qualified individuals who are not part of the ruling elite or a friendship network are often excluded from opportunities, leading to social discontent and a sense of injustice. This can widen the gap between the privileged and the general population, fostering resentment and social division.
Weakening of Democratic Institutions
In many ways, in a democratic system, fairness, transparency, and the rule of law are crucial for the functioning of institutions. When leaders prioritize personal relationships, it weakens democratic norms, making institutions prone to manipulation and capture by individuals loyal to the leadership. This can hinder checks and balances and allow executive overreach, weakening the entire democratic process.
Detrimental to National Development
National development depends on strong governance, economic fairness, and the efficient use of resources. When friendship over the law prevails, projects and contracts are often awarded to friends or family members who may not have the expertise or experience to execute them properly. This leads to poor-quality projects, delays, and wasteful spending, ultimately hampering economic growth and sustainable development.
Public Distrust in Government
When the public perceives that friends and family are benefiting from the government unfairly, it creates a deep distrust in political leadership. This distrust can lead to civil unrest, as citizens feel that their leaders are not working in their best interests. Over time, this erodes the legitimacy of government institutions that can destabilize the country.
Undermining of Judicial Independence
Friendship over the law can infiltrate the judicial system, leading to biased rulings or protection of friends from legal consequences. This compromises the independence of the judiciary and discourages fair trials, further damaging public confidence in the justice system.
Challenges in Resolving Corruption Cases in Liberia:
Liberia’s legal system faces challenges such as underfunding, lack of independence, and susceptibility to political influence, which often leads to delays in prosecuting corruption cases.
Political Interference continues to play a major impact on judicial best practices. Many unresolved cases involve high-ranking government officials or individuals with strong political connections, making it difficult for anti-corruption institutions to enforce the law without fear of reprisals.
Limited resources delay the fight against corrupt individuals and the systems. For an example, agencies such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the General Auditing Commission (GAC) often lack the necessary resources, manpower, and political backing to carry out comprehensive investigations and prosecutions.
Arguably, public perception and trust are lower when cases are allegedly discovered. The huge unresolved cases fuel public mistrust in government institutions and anti-corruption efforts, which can demoralize citizens and contribute to a culture of impunity.
In summary, my opinion.
The fight against corruption remains a significant problem in Liberia, with several high-profile cases still unresolved. Addressing these issues requires political will, judicial reforms, and strengthened anti-corruption bodies to ensure that corruption cases are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, restoring public trust in the rule of law.
The systemic weaknesses in Liberia’s fight against corruption, including political interference, lack of accountability, and institutional inefficiencies. It perpetuates corruption, weakens institutions, and limits opportunities for merit-based progress, ultimately stalling Liberia’s path to sustainable development. We need strong leadership, legal reforms, and a commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and rule of law above personal interests.
Written by: Jefferson G Togba
Liberian International Relations Scholar, Trade Analyst, International Political Economy, Corporate Governance Analyst.
