MONROVIA – The Law Reform Commission – Liberia (LRC), on Thursday, June 12, 2025, held a one-day Validation of Draft Anti-Corruption Laws in keeping with the mandate of the Commission to review all laws of Liberia.
The Law Reform Commission (LRC) was established by an Act of the Legislature of Liberia in 2011. It was organized to keep the laws of Liberia and ensure the systematic development and reform, including unification and codification of the laws.
It can be recalled in April of this year, a Dialogue/Review was held by the Law Reform Commission in partnership with several stakeholders to dialogue and review anti-corruption laws and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees of the Government of Liberia.
At that April Dialogue/Review, anti-corruption laws that impede the fight against corruption were identified, after which new amendments were made by the Law Reform Commission. It was those amendments stakeholders came together on Thursday, June 12, 2025, to validate before onward submission to the President of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai and subsequently to the National Legislature for enactment.
Several stakeholders, including the European Union (EU), Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, Embassy of Sweden, National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Press Union of Liberia, Liberia National Bar Association, Independent National Human Rights Commission, Office for the Establishment of War & Economic Crimes Court Crimes Court, Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Office of the Legal Advisor to the President and the Ministry of Justice attended the validation of the Anti-Corruption exercise on Thursday, held at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor, Monrovia.
Four anti-corruption laws were validated; they include:
1. An Act to Amend Title 26, Penal Law, Liberian Codes of Law Revised to Provide for Illicit Enrichment and Corruption
2. An Act to Amend Title 2: Criminal Procedure Law, Liberian Codes of Law Revised to Redefined the Burden of Proof and Statute of Limitation for Corruption, Acts of Corruption and Illicit Enrichment.
3. An Act to Amend the Act Establishing the Anti-Corruption Commission
4. An Act to Amend Part V, Part XII and to Provide Additional Definitions of an Act of the Legislature Prescribing a National Code of Conduct for all Public Officials and Employees of the Government.
Law Reform Commission Chairman, Cllr. Boakai Kanneh said the Law Reform Commission has a statutory mandate to review all laws of the country, including the Constitution. “So, when President Joseph Nyuma Boakai directed us to review the anti-corruption legal framework under the Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), we recognized the urgency. The current instruments contain loopholes that weaken the fight against corruption,” Cllr. Kanneh disclosed.
Cllr. Ramses Kumbuyah, Executive Director of the LRC, emphasized the Commission’s participatory approach. “Law-making is not a solo activity,” he said. “We’re validating draft laws through broad stakeholders’ participation. When legal practitioners and civil society have a say, the laws become more just and implementable.”
Representatives from the European Union, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), and civil society groups including CENTAL and Accountability Lab welcomed the inclusive process but urged stronger enforcement mechanisms.
Julius Kanubah, President of the PUL, described the reform effort as a “vital step toward strengthening the anti-corruption fight,” noting that “strong laws, clearly defined and understood by all, are essential.”
