The Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), alongside several new anti-corruption laws, is designed to compel public officials to declare their assets and holdings.
This effort fulfills Article 90(c) of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia. On June 20, 2014, the Act of Legislature Prescribing a National Code of Conduct for All Public Officials and Employees of the Government of the Republic of Liberia was enacted to enforce this constitutional mandate.
The initiative aims to address the stark disparity between Liberia’s impoverished population and its wealthy political elite, as well as the persistent lack of transparency in public spending. International donors and good governance advocates have consistently supported these anti-corruption frameworks and policies.
Despite these measures, 26 of the 73 representatives and five of the 30 senators remain non-compliant.
The below are non-compliant.
Name | County
James Kolleh | Dis. # 2- Bong
Marvin Cole | Dis. # 3-Bong
Robert Womba | Dis. # 4-Bong
Eugene J.M Kollie | Dis. #5-Bong
Moima Briggs Mensah | Rep. Dis. # 6
James Kolleh | Dis. # 2- Bong
Marvin Cole | Dis. # 3-Bong
Robert Womba | Dis. # 4-Bong
Eugene J.M Kollie | Dis. #5-Bong
Moima Briggs Mensah | Rep. Dis. # 6
James Kolleh, a member of the People’s Unification Party (PUP), was first elected in a 2021 by-election and re-elected in 2023. He currently chairs the House Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration.
On his official Facebook page, Kolleh revealed his proposal of the Independent Commission on Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval (ICARPR) Act, which has been forwarded to the Committees on Judiciary, Ways, Means and Finance, and Good Governance for review, even though he has yet to declare his own assets.
He argued that the commission would “strengthen Liberia’s fight against corruption and ensure accountability for the illegal conversion of public property.” However, many question why he has failed to file his own declaration.
Kolleh was also at the center of the controversy involving former Speaker Fonati Koffa, where he was accused of bribery. He admitted that his decision to support Koffa’s removal was influenced by former Bong District #5 Representative Edward W. Karfiah, whom he described as his “political godfather.”
“My political godfather supported the action I took,” Rep. Kolleh told the audience gathered at the event. “He was the one who introduced me to the Rescue Team that backed Representative Koon for Speaker. He told us, ‘I see your success this way; go there for us,’ and those of us who listened followed him.”
When contacted, Kolleh promised to declare his assets soon, despite the law’s explicit requirements.
Marvin Cole resigned from the National Patriotic Party (NPP)—a coalition partner within the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)—and Cole has since joined the newly formed Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), established by businessman and politician Musa Bility.
Appointed Gbarnga City Mayor in 2016 under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Cole’s tenure focused on city infrastructure and sanitation. However, after only six months, Sirleaf dismissed him—a move allegedly influenced by local political figures Prince Moye and George Mulbah.
Elected to the Legislature in 2017, Cole became the sole NPP lawmaker from Bong County and a prominent CDC figure. He supported Koffa’s speakership and was linked to an arson case, though prosecutors later dropped the charges.
Cole has been accused of several brutalities, including against his neighbor, researcher, Officer in charge Alison Kollie, upon which he was charged with Criminal Facilitation, Criminal Solicitation, Criminal Conspiracy, and Physical Obstruction of government function, police said.
Robert Womba, chair of the Unity Party Legislative Caucus in Bong County, was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2023. He opposed Koffa during the legislative standoff, denying that the anti-Koffa bloc’s motive was to prevent an audit of the House.
He previously refused to sign a communication suspending two Project Management Committee members for unauthorized payments following the November 18, 2019 County Council Sitting.
Womba has called for a “complete audit” of the Ministry of Youth and Sports for allegedly overspending more than US$700,000 beyond its 2018/2019 budget. He is also recognized for sponsoring the bill that elevated Bong County Technical College to university status.
It was recent when the General Auditing Commission and the house endorsed an audit at the house of Representatives.
Eugene J.M. Kollie, a first-time lawmaker elected in 2023 under the CDC, has sought legislative approval to amend key sections of the 2000 Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia, specifically sections 4.2, 6.6, 8.2, and 17.1.
A supporter of Koffa and a member of the “Rule of Law” caucus, he was suspended without pay during the legislative stalemate. He appended his signature supporting the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court and recently called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. to stop appointing individuals to tenure positions already occupied by lawful incumbents.
Moima Briggs Mensah, elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2023 as an independent, is the only female lawmaker among Bong’s seven representatives.
Her official website has remained inactive since June 2025, although she remains active on Facebook. She chairs the House Committee on Gender and once requested the impeachment of a judge. Briggs-Mensah was among those that were ordered recalled from ECOWAS but the request was denied.
During the legislative standoff, she initially supported Koffa but later joined the majority bloc backing Richard Koon, the current Speaker. She also supported the president’s bill to ban harmful traditional practices.
Briggs-Mnesah was contacted on November 10, and a follow-up was done, but she has yet to respond.
Bomi has three electoral districts. Bishop Manah Johnson (District #2) is the only lawmaker yet to declare his assets.
A CDC member first elected in 2017, Johnson is serving his second term and chairs the Committee on National Defense. After a prolonged illness, he returned to legislative sessions on November 4, 2025, and was a supporter of Koon during the leadership dispute.
Anthony Williams triumphed as a lawmaker when he defeated one of the long-term serving lawmakers, Bhofal Chambers, in Maryland district 2, and is a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and a Koon ally.
He raised concerns about the influx of undocumented foreign nationals, particularly from Burkina Faso, and led the House to summon the heads of key security agencies.
Williams has also urged police not to stop vehicles belonging to lawmakers and expressed frustration that his proposed bill to criminalize same-sex marriage has been blocked from discussion by House leaders.
The largest county with lawmakers is Montserrado, with 17 districts, of which two have yet to file their assets.
With 17 districts, Montserrado has two lawmakers who have yet to declare their assets.
Yekeh Kolubah (District #10) is known for his fiery rhetoric and frequent disruptions during House sessions, which have led to multiple suspensions. Serving his second term, he was re-elected in 2023 with support from the Unity Party.
During the legislative standoff, Kolubah backed Koffa and was involved in a Capitol Building incident where police allegedly broke into his vehicle. He is known for publicly insulting national leaders, including former President George Weah, which nearly led to physical confrontations with ex-Representative Acarous Gray.
Next is Montserrado County District #13 Representative Edward Paypay Flomo, who is a longtime member of the Coalition for Democratic Change who ascended after a bi-election in 2018 which he contested as an independent candidate.
Flomo filled the void left by then Representative Saah Joseph following his election as Senator of Montserrado County in the 2017 Presidential and Legislative polls.
He is a pro-Koffa supporter, which led him to be investigated as one of the six lawmakers who are accused of disrupting House proceedings on October 22.
The LACC was contacted for further inquiries, specifically if the second-term lawmaker filed in previous years and what the statutory time is for filing an asset, none of these questions were responded to by the commission.
Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), said many lawmakers refuse to comply with the asset declaration law because they lack integrity and the willpower to lead by example.
“Limited efforts by the leadership of the Legislature to demand compliance, the culture of impunity for corruption, weak enforcement of laws, and a lack of will from the Executive Branch all contribute to this persistent noncompliance.” Anderson Miamen, CENTAL executive director.
Watch out for Part II of this article
