Another Sad Day for Justice in Liberia!

Michael T
Aug 2, 2025
3 min read

Monrovia, August 2, 2025 — Criminal Court “C” has dropped all charges against former Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) acting chairperson Abdullah Kamara in the high-profile economic sabotage case. Judge Joe Barkon ruled that Kamara was “improperly charged” as a representative of Tamma Corporation, summarily removing him from the case—even though the alleged $3.5 million scandal unfolded while Kamara served as CEO.

This decision reveals a fundamental misreading of Liberian law. According to the Penal Code of Liberia (Title 26, especially Sections 3.4 and 3.5), criminal liability attaches to corporate officers for unlawful acts “performed in the name of any organization” or under their “primary responsibility,” regardless of whether they retain the position when charged. The law broadly defines individual criminal liability for conduct carried out on behalf of organizations and specifies that relinquishing a title does not exempt an individual from prosecution for offenses committed while in office1 2.

The key issue is not Kamara’s title at the time of indictment, but whether he exercised authority when the alleged offense occurred. The state’s case accused Kamara—then CEO of Tamma—and former LTA Chair Edwina Zackpa of conspiracy, fraud, and theft exceeding $3.5 million. Prosecutors detailed how Zackpa, “acting unilaterally,” authorized substantial public payments to Tamma without contract or competitive bidding, with Kamara personally receiving the funds as head of the corporation.

However, Judge Barkon justified his decision by claiming Kamara’s inclusion was “improper, unlawful, and untenable” solely because Kamara lacked official title when indicted, referencing Liberia’s Association Law. Legal and constitutional scholars sharply criticize this logic, warning that permitting resignation to erase liability sets a dangerous precedent—encouraging future corporate officers to resign immediately when allegations surface. Liberian law and Supreme Court precedent affirm accountability attaches to actions, not titles. “The timing of the offense—when Kamara was CEO—is what matters”1 2.

International and Institutional Opinions on Liberia Failing Judiciary

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) 2025 Scorecard: Liberia failed the “Rule of Law” indicator, posting only 47% with a score of 0.03—down from 59% in 2024. The MCC highlighted that while Liberia succeeded on some governance indicators (like civil liberties and corruption control), persistent weaknesses in judicial effectiveness and rule of law undermine progress and investor confidence. The scorecard’s results align with growing domestic frustration regarding judicial independence and the implementation of anti-corruption laws3 4 5.
Human Rights Watch and United Nations: Note strong political resistance to genuine reform, emphasizing that no major prosecutions for past abuses or financial crimes have occurred due to entrenched impunity and institutional inertia. Human Rights Watch specifically called for legislative—not just executive—actions to ensure courts’ credibility and permanence, warning that reliance on temporary executive orders undermines the sustainability of judicial reform and public trust6 7 8.
US State Department Reports: The US State Department cites enduring issues in Liberia’s justice system, including political interference, slow judicial processes, and consistent failures to hold public officials accountable for economic crimes. These weaknesses erode public trust and embolden officials to exploit loopholes, such as resigning to evade prosecution, further weakening the rule of law.

The acquittal of Kamara based solely on his resignation or change of title directly contradicts Liberian statutory provisions and best practices for economic crime accountability.

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