By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
MONROVIA – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has announced the resumption of the long-standing corruption case against former senior officials of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LIGIS), involving the misappropriation of funds allocated for the 2022 National Population and Housing Census.
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, proceedings resumed before Criminal Court “C” following the selection and induction of a fifteen-member jury, marking a significant step forward after delays in the case since 2023.
The defendants currently facing trial are Dominic Paye, former Comptroller of LIGIS, and Lawrence George, former Deputy Director-General for Administration.
Wilmot Smith, former Deputy Director-General for Information and Coordination, has been severed from the case and is scheduled for separate trial, as he remains outside Liberia’s jurisdiction.
The charges allege that census funds were unlawfully diverted through irregular procurement activities, including the purchase of a second-hand generator at an inflated price, payments for workshops that never occurred, and the use of front companies to channel public funds for private benefit.
While initial estimates suggested potential losses of up to US$1.7 million, verified documentation now places the prosecutable amount at US$128,198.64.
The alleged misconduct disrupted census operations, leading to unrest among unpaid enumerators, logistical breakdowns, and diminished public confidence in a process vital to national development planning.
The LACC reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and transparency, assuring the public that the case will be pursued to its lawful conclusion.
