MONROVIA – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has filed a sweeping indictment against Edwina C. Zackpa, former Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA), and Abdullah L. Kamara, CEO of Tamma Corporation, for alleged economic sabotage, fraud, and theft of public funds totaling over US$3.5 million. The indictment, now before Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, accuses the two of conspiring to defraud the Government of Liberia through a deliberate scheme that bypassed legal procedures and financial accountability.
According to court documents, between January and December 2023, Zackpa failed to remit US$3,586,496.97 to the government’s Consolidated Account, as mandated by the revenue-sharing agreement between the LTA and the Government of Liberia. Despite repeated reminders from the LTA Controller and fellow commissioners, Zackpa reportedly refused to authorize the transfer or provide any explanation for the funds’ use.
The indictment further alleges that in May 2023, a proposal titled “National Transformation Initiative for Liberia” was introduced by Tamma Corporation, a company owned and operated by co-defendant Kamara. Though registered with the Liberia Business Registry in 2012 to provide IT and entertainment services, Tamma Corporation was allegedly handpicked by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Hon. G. Wesseh Blamoh, to lead the digital transformation project without undergoing a competitive bidding process, in violation of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) regulations.
Despite the absence of a legally binding contract, scope of work, or performance metrics, Zackpa, acting unilaterally as LTA Chairperson, authorized two payments totaling US$54,500 and L$22,500,000 from LTA’s operational accounts to Tamma Corporation under the guise of Corporate Social Responsibility activities. According to the indictment, neither Zackpa nor Kamara has accounted for the disbursed funds.
The charges brought against the two defendants include economic sabotage, fraud on the internal revenue, misuse of public money, theft of property, misapplication of entrusted property, criminal facilitation, solicitation, and conspiracy, all classified as first-degree felonies under Liberian law.
Prosecutors argue that Zackpa’s actions constituted a knowing effort to deprive the government of its lawful revenue and violated several provisions of the Penal Code, including Section 15.80, which prohibits any act of conspiracy, omission, or manipulation intended to defraud the Government of Liberia. The government contends that both defendants enabled a fraudulent scheme that undermines fiscal transparency and public trust.
The case has sparked strong public interest, especially in light of Liberia’s continued struggle against corruption and the Boakai administration’s repeated pledges to enforce financial accountability and restore integrity to public service.
The LACC has emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and may involve additional parties depending on further findings. Meanwhile, both Zackpa and Kamara are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The outcome of this high-profile case could set a critical precedent for how Liberia deals with allegations of large-scale financial impropriety in government-linked institutions.
