-LACC Witness Tells Court in Joint Security Trial
Monrovia, Liberia — A subpoenaed witness from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has delivered explosive testimony in the ongoing Joint Security corruption trial, revealing that millions in public funds were transferred and withdrawn without legal authorization, proper documentation, or oversight.
Baba Mohamed Boika, an investigator with the LACC, took the stand during the 40th day of jury proceedings and told the court that a probe into the handling of security funds uncovered serious irregularities in how money was approved and released—a process he described as unsupported, irregular, and potentially illegal.
According to Boika, large sums of money were moved from Government of Liberia accounts—including those of the Ministry of Health and various operational accounts—into accounts held by the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) between September and October 2023. The transactions included over L$27 million, more than L$400 million, an additional L$100 million, and USD $500,000.
The witness testified that the transfers were executed based on a single instruction from Cllr. Nyanti Tuan following consultations with National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh. He noted that there was no written authorization to support the decision, no emergency justification provided, and no formal request or communication made to the Ministry of Finance. The National Security Council, he added, did not approve the release. “Approving the transfer of public funds without authorization is illegal. Practically, it is theft,” Boika told the court.
The witness emphasized that the transfers lacked legal backing, stating they were neither budgeted nor authorized by law. He further testified that once the funds were moved into FIA accounts, they were quickly withdrawn under claims that they were intended for security operations. However, Boika said investigators found no evidence to support those claims.
“No security agency has confirmed receiving the money. No receipts or documents have been provided. No individuals have been identified as recipients,” he said. The court also heard that the FIA was not normally used to handle security funds, raising further questions about why the agency was selected as a conduit in this instance.
Defendants in the case have maintained that the money was used for legitimate security purposes. But Boika’s testimony directly challenged that assertion, stating that the investigation concluded the funds were moved and withdrawn without accountability—pointing to what he called the illegal disbursement of public money. As the trial continues, the central question posed by the witness’s account remains unanswered: Where did the money go?
