Abdullah L. Kamara, former Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), has been released from the Monrovia Central Prison after posting a criminal appearance bond valued at over US$295,000. According to our judicial correspondent, Kamara’s bond was approved following his re-arrest and subsequent detention at the Monrovia Central Prison, as ordered by the presiding judge of Criminal Court ‘C’. Kamara and several others were indicted by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for allegedly receiving unauthorized payments totaling more than L$178 million and US$440,000.
Investigative findings revealed that Edwina Crump Zackpah, former Acting Chairperson of the LTA, authorized the disbursement of US$654,000 and L$72,750,000 under the guise of implementing the federal Digital Transformation Project. However, no procurement procedures were followed, no contracts were signed, and the payments were made in direct violation of Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) regulations.
Further investigations uncovered that Zackpah, along with Faith A. Edwin, CEO of RAMMA Corporation, and Julius E. Caine, CEO of Tamma Corporation, conspired to defraud the government. Authorities found no written agreements detailing the scope of work, nor any performance evaluation mechanisms to ensure accountability or value for money.
The case has been classified as first-degree felony fraud against the Internal Revenue of Liberia. Specific charges include knowingly authorizing payments without contracts, collusion to defraud the government, and failure to uphold fiduciary responsibilities. Legal analysts believe this could become one of Liberia’s most significant anti-corruption cases, given the scale of financial misconduct and the blatant disregard for public procurement laws.
Author: Melvin Jackson
