By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, headed by Executive Chairperson Alexandra K. Zoe, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, announced sweeping new asset declaration regulations aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and integrity within Liberia’s public sector, warning that public officials who fail to comply could face suspension, dismissal, salary withholding, and possible criminal prosecution.
The regulations, grounded in constitutional and statutory provisions, draw authority from Chapter XI, Article 90(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which empowers the National Legislature to prescribe a Code of Conduct for public officials and define acts of conflict of interest and public misconduct.
According to the Commission, the framework is further supported by the National Code of Conduct enacted on March 31, 2014, which requires public officials to declare their income, assets, liabilities, and financial interests before assuming office and at prescribed intervals during service.
The LACC stated that the new regulations are intended to provide “comprehensive administrative and enforcement procedures” governing the submission, verification, monitoring, and enforcement of Liberia’s asset declaration system.
“The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission shall serve as the lead institution responsible for the administration, enforcement, monitoring, verification, and compliance oversight of the Asset Declaration System of the Republic of Liberia,” the statement emphasized.
The Commission further explained that the regulations apply to all public officials and employees occupying positions defined under Section 10.1 of the National Code of Conduct and any other positions designated by law or regulation.
Under the framework, all three branches of government namely the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive are fully covered, including senior officials, technical staff, and individuals in decision-making roles.
In the Legislative Branch, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, along with clerks, secretaries, and administrative officers involved in procurement and finance, are required to comply.
In the Judicial Branch, the requirement extends to the Chief Justice, Associate Justices, judges, magistrates, clerks, court administrators, and procurement officers across all levels of the judiciary.
Within the Executive Branch, the obligation covers the President, Vice President, cabinet ministers, deputy and assistant ministers, agency heads, and all officials involved in contracting, procurement, revenue collection, licensing, and permit issuance.
The regulations also include autonomous agencies, state-owned enterprises, and independent commissions, as well as diplomats such as ambassadors, consuls general, and heads of foreign missions.
Security and law enforcement institutions are also explicitly covered, including senior officers of the Liberia National Police, Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, National Security Agency, and the Armed Forces of Liberia.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission further noted that customs officers and revenue officials under the Liberia Revenue Authority are required to comply due to their involvement in public financial management.
Under Section 5 of the regulations, elected officials and public employees must submit completed, signed, and notarized asset declaration forms before assuming office.
Appointed officials are required to file within 30 days of taking office, while all officials must continue periodic declarations every three years during their tenure.
The framework also mandates declarations upon promotion, transfer, retirement, resignation, dismissal, or any other separation from public service.
All exiting officials are required to submit final asset declarations prior to leaving office to ensure full accountability of their financial status while in public service.
The Commission stated that standardized forms will be made available through its official website, the Executive Mansion, and its Asset Declaration and Verification Unit headquarters.
On enforcement, the LACC warned that failure or refusal to file asset declarations will be treated as a violation of the National Code of Conduct and will trigger sanctions under existing legal provisions.
Possible penalties include dismissal from office, removal in the public interest, written reprimands, fines, restitution, demotion, suspension, and forfeiture of assets suspected to have been acquired through abuse of office.
The regulations further introduce immediate suspension for non-compliance, stating that any official who fails to submit declarations within the required timeframe will be suspended until full compliance is achieved.
During suspension, all salaries, allowances, bonuses, per diem, and other benefits will be withheld until the declaration is properly filed and verified by the Commission.
The LACC also outlined coordination measures, stating that it will notify the President, the Legislature, the Judiciary, and relevant institutions regarding violations and recommended enforcement actions.
It further stated that payroll and financial management institutions will be required to enforce salary suspension and related measures for non-compliant officials.
On implementation timelines, the Commission set the national filing deadline as the last working day of July each year, with public notification to be issued at least two months in advance.
The LACC emphasized that it will conduct verification and review processes to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency of all submitted declarations.
Where discrepancies are found, the Commission said it may request additional documentation or clarification from public officials.
The regulations also distinguish between unintentional errors and deliberate false declarations, stating that honest mistakes may attract corrections or warnings, while intentional misrepresentation could lead to dismissal and criminal prosecution.
The Commission further stated that it will engage in both domestic and international information-sharing arrangements to verify asset declarations and strengthen corruption investigations.
It added that monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be established to assess compliance rates, enforcement effectiveness, and overall system performance.
Finally, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission reaffirmed that it will report regularly to the President, the National Legislature, and the public through quarterly and annual reports.
Concluding the regulations, the Commission described asset declaration as “a critical instrument for promoting integrity, transparency, accountability, and public confidence in governance,” urging all public officials to comply fully in the interest of strengthening Liberia’s anti-corruption framework and institutional credibility.
