Asset disclosure remains one of Liberia’s strongest tools in preventing corruption. Yet several lawmakers across multiple counties have failed to comply with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission’s (LACC) requirements. The LACC’s latest report highlights widespread noncompliance among both new and returning representatives.
First-term lawmaker Zinnah Norman of the CDC has not declared his assets. He briefly supported former Speaker Fonati Koffa during the legislative impasse, and later joined the majority bloc of current Speaker Richard Koon. In June 2025, Norman was invited by LACC to be questioned in a bribery probe. When contacted about his obligations, he replied: “What do I have to declare?”
Representative Mustapha Warity, also a first-term CDC lawmaker and supporter of Speaker Koon, has not submitted his asset declaration.
New lawmaker Isaac Bannie is listed as non-compliant. He requested plenary to invite the Minister of Health, Dr. Kpoto, to appear before the House to tell whether the public health facilities across the country are fee-for-service or totally free
Bannie supported Koon during the legislative stalemate. Known for his health-sector background, he questioned the Health Ministry on fee-for-service policies. He claimed specialized doctors serving as CHOs may increase maternal deaths, a comment Health Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto disagreed with, citing improved maternal outcomes under specialist leadership.
Bintu Massalay is the current youngest lawmaker in the Legislature. Despite joining a regional dialogue on anti-money laundering, Massalay has not filed her assets. She was elected in 2023 on the CDC ticket. And has publicly advocated for accountability on social media.
Mohammed Dosii requested the removal of AFL and ERU personnel from Bea Mountain facilities. He was accused by a colleague of inciting violence at the concession, and is yet to comply with LACC disclosure rules.
Like Dosii, First-term lawmaker Gbessey Sonii Feika of district three, Cape Mount, is also listed as a non-compliant legislator. She recently introduced legislation for a new health center and proposed the creation of new local governance structures. Alieu Nyei, a resident, debunked her claim that her district is the county’s largest.
Nathaniel Bahway, serving his second term as representative of District One, Grand Kru County, remains non-compliant. Previously, he claimed confusion about an alleged US$25,000 promise during the legislative standoff. In 2021, accused of damaging a vehicle during a dispute at the Capitol, and suspended by the ANC for six months in 2024.
While in Lofa County, three lawmakers (Julie F. Wiah, #2 Momo Siafa Kpoto, # 3, Gizzie K Kollince) are under scrutiny for failing to comply
Julie F. Wiah, a three-term lawmaker and former independent candidate, continues to hold significant political influence. She won a by-election heavily contested by ten candidates, eight of whom represented political parties, including the Unity Party.
In the 2017 elections, she supported current President Joseph N. Boakai, “My people and I believe, like hundreds of other Liberians, that Ambassador Boakai possesses the needed leadership abilities based upon his moral and technical qualities. She introduced bills to create multiple townships in Lofa. She proposed a Legislative Immunization Caucus to strengthen oversight, and disputed the LACC’s findings, saying: “I declared my assets. Please check again.”
She says, “This dedicated body (Caucus) aims to amplify advocacy for increased domestic health budgets, strengthen parliamentary oversight of immunization programs and Immunization Financing as well as facilitate the sharing of best practices across the country.”
Momo Siafa Kpoto, a first-term lawmaker of district three, suspended by the CDC, recently broke ground for a 23.6-kilometer road project. He has not filed his asset declaration. While
Kollince introduced a bill creating the Zeyeama Clan and has been vocal against a presidential bill restricting certain traditional practices. He criticized the legislation as an attack on local culture. He and Wiah jointly challenged the LACC report, asserting that his asset documents were submitted through a House lawyer.
Though Wiah proposed a bill to establish three townships in district 2, Kpoto proposed five townships in his district three.
“The information provided to you is misleading; my asset declaration documents were submitted upon receiving instructions from me by one of the lawyers at the House of Representatives,” said Kollince.
Wiah was questioned if she had filed in the past years, 2015, 2017, and 2023. She only responded, “I declared my assets. Please check again,”
Civil Society Reaction: Calls for Leadership and Enforcement
Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), said the issue reflects fundamental weaknesses in governance.
“Limited efforts by the Legislature’s leadership 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.”
