MONROVIA – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has informed the public of significant progress in the long-standing corruption case involving former senior officials of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LIGIS) over alleged misappropriation of funds allocated for the 2022 National Population and Housing Census. In a press release issued Wednesday, December 3, 2025, and signed by Deanna W. Seakor, Public Relations Officer, the LACC stated that the case formally resumed before Criminal Court “C” on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, following the selection and induction of a fifteen-member jury.
According to the commission, the resumption marks a critical advancement after prolonged delays that have stalled the case since 2023. The defendants currently facing trial are Dominic Paye, former Comptroller of LIGIS, and Lawrence George, former Deputy Director-General for Administration. The commission noted that Wilmot Smith, former Deputy Director-General for Information and Coordination, was severed from the case and will be tried separately after the court confirmed that he remains outside the jurisdiction of Liberia. The case is now set to proceed as a jury trial.
The charges arise from allegations that funds earmarked for the 2022 census were unlawfully diverted in violation of established financial procedures. The LACC’s statement highlighted irregular procurement activities, including the purchase of a second-hand generator at an inflated price instead of a new unit as approved in the project budget. Investigations further cite the use of front companies to channel public funds for private gain. Additionally, payments were reportedly made for a census workshop that never took place, with individuals paid for services that were not rendered.
While earlier estimates suggested that the potential loss could be as high as US$1.7 million, the verified documentation now before the court places the prosecutable amount at US$128,198.64. The commission emphasized that the precise quantification of the misappropriated funds will be determined through the ongoing judicial process.
The alleged misconduct, the LACC noted, disrupted the 2022 census operations, triggering unrest among unpaid enumerators, logistical breakdowns, and a decline in public confidence in a national exercise critical to Liberia’s development planning. In its release, the commission stated, “The misconduct under review contributed to operational setbacks and undermined public trust in the census exercise, which is vital for national development strategies.”
The LACC reiterated its commitment to holding all individuals accountable for corruption and ensuring transparency in public financial management. “The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission remains committed to accountability and transparency and assures the public that it will continue to pursue this case to its lawful conclusion,” the statement read.
