Mixed Compliances-As LACC Raises Red Flag “As we release Phase II of the Asset Declarations’ Verification Report, the LACC is reminded of the intense controversy which erupted following the release of Phase I of the exercise ; i.e. criticisms which were aimed at discrediting the report and the barrage of attacks on the Commission by some declarants who did not agree with the conclusions of the verification team following the verification of their assets. Notwithstanding, the LACC is not perturbed by these negative reactions as they only embolden the Commission in exposing corrupt practices in the supreme interest of the nation.” The Liberia Anti- Corruption Commission (LACC) last Friday released Phase II of its Assets Verification Report, which seems to reveal some cloudy responses from former and present government officials concerning their acuminated wealth. The LACC has disclosed verifying a total of 77 assets declaration (AD) out of which five categories of individuals, former and present government officials were identified. The categories include number of AD booked for unexplained/questionable wealth acumination; number of AD not verified because official (s) refused to cooperate; number of AD with outstanding issues-verification process incomplete; number of AD not verified because declarants could not be located, and number of AD verified and found to be truly stated. Available documents from the LACC indicate that 22 officials, predominantly from the security sector, “deliberately refused to cooperate with the LACC Team,” as a result of which their assets could not be verified. Additionally, 22 officials’ AD process could not be completed within the reporting timeframe, due to outstanding issues to be resolved. Five declarants’ assets were said not to be verified because they could not be reached. However, 25 officials’ assets, according to the exercise, were verified and certified as truly declared. “The Liberia Anti- Corruption Commission (LACC) has come to realize that the Assets Verification Exercise is an effective tool in the fight against corruption. The exercise makes it possible to uncover questionable financial transactions and wealth accumulation by public office holders which otherwise could not be discovered,” the statement released by LACC Chairperson Cllr. Frances Johnson-Allison during a chat with journalists at the National Elections Commission (NEC) on 9th Street, Sinkor indicated. The statement noted that the A.V. Exercise is intended to warn would-be perpetrators of corruption through illicit enrichment that their deeds will be exposed. “As we release Phase II of the Asset Declarations’ Verification Report, the LACC is reminded of the intense controversy which erupted following the release of Phase I of the exercise; i.e. criticisms which were aimed at discrediting the report and the barrage of attacks on the Commission by some declarants who did not agree with the conclusions of the verification team following the verification of their assets. Notwithstanding, the LACC is not perturbed by these negative reactions as they only embolden the Commission in exposing corrupt practices in the supreme interest of the nation,” the LACC said. According to the statement, illicit enrichment is defined both under the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Against Corruption (AUCPCC) and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) as the significant increase in the assets of a public official that he or she cannot reasonably explain in relation to his or her lawful income.” LACC said as a state party to both conventions, Liberia is under obligation to take steps to criminalize illicit enrichment under its domestic laws. “Unfortunately, this has not happened despite efforts on the part of the LACC which is seeking legislative amendment to the Act creating the Commission to criminalize illicit enrichment, among other things. Therefore, the best that LACC can do pending the proposed amendment is to raise the red flag,” the statement said. Detailed information about the AD concerning former and current officials of government will be published in subsequent editions.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 18:27:21 +0000
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