MONROVIA – Allegations of financial impropriety involving public institutions often test not only the effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies but also public confidence in government accountability. In Liberia’s telecommunications sector, where traffic monitoring directly influences revenue assurance, fraud prevention and regulatory oversight, transparency has become increasingly important amid ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension of an existing concession agreement. The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission’s decision to assess a formal complaint against the Liberia Telecommunications Authority therefore represents more than a routine administrative process. Whether the allegations ultimately prove credible or unfounded, the Commission’s response will likely shape public confidence in regulatory governance, investor certainty and the integrity of Liberia’s telecommunications oversight framework. STAFF WRITER reports.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) is preparing to investigate allegations of financial impropriety at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) following a formal complaint filed by journalist Alfred Togba of The People’s Newspaper.
LACC Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe confirmed that the Commission has received the complaint and that it is currently undergoing a preliminary assessment to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to warrant a full-scale investigation.
The complaint centers on allegations surrounding the management of funds generated through Liberia’s telecommunications traffic monitoring system and payments reportedly involving NMBTEL, a company associated with the LTA’s efforts to replace Telecom International Alliance (TIA), which previously operated the government’s traffic monitoring concession.
Togba alleges that members of the LTA Board of Commissioners illegally received substantial sums of money from NMBTEL. He further claims that the company has undertaken little or no significant operational work during the past six months despite reportedly receiving payments.
The allegations remain unproven, and the LACC’s ongoing assessment is expected to determine whether the available information establishes probable cause for a comprehensive investigation.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority has maintained that all funds collected from mobile telecommunications operators are being secured in an escrow account.
Massaquoi Defends Board
Addressing journalists during a recent news conference, LTA Board Chairman Abdullah L. Massaquoi declined to disclose details regarding the funds, stating that he is accountable to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., who appointed the current Board of Commissioners.
“If they want me to say where the money is, I will not say it. I will report to the President,” Massaquoi stated.
While declining to provide financial details publicly, the Board Chairman expressed confidence in the integrity of his fellow commissioners.
“I can only assure the public that this Board of Commissioners…”
He continued:
“I can vouch for the character of each of my colleagues. All funds generated, today as I stand on this podium, if I were to receive a call from the Chief Executive to press the button to transfer, I will do it right from this point.”
His comments have since fueled renewed public debate over transparency and accountability in the management of telecommunications revenue.
LACC Confirms Complaint
Speaking to journalists, LACC Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe confirmed that Alfred Togba’s complaint has formally been lodged with the Commission.
“We received a complaint from one Alfred Togba, of The People’s Newspaper. I can confirm that I received the communication from him,” she said.
Cllr. Zoe explained that every complaint submitted to the Commission undergoes an initial assessment before investigators recommend whether a full investigation should commence.
“The thing about these complaints is when they come in, we first and foremost send them to the investigation unit to do an assessment. When the assessment is done, that is to determine if there is probable cause to go into a full-scale investigation.”
She added that once the assessment is completed, the matter will be presented to the Commission’s Board of Commissioners for a determination.
“The case has been lodged with us. After the assessment has been done, the full board will meet whether to proceed with a full-scale investigation.”
Cllr. Zoe further disclosed that the Commission had previously received another complaint concerning the Liberia Telecommunications Authority before Togba’s submission, although she declined to identify the earlier complainant.
As of press time, the LACC had not announced whether the preliminary assessment had been completed or whether the Board had authorized a formal investigation.
Revenue Questions Persist
The latest controversy comes amid continuing public concerns regarding the amount of revenue generated through telecommunications traffic monitoring since the suspension of the previous monitoring arrangement.
To date, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority has not publicly released comprehensive figures detailing revenue collected from telecommunications traffic monitoring during the period under review.
The absence of publicly available financial data has intensified calls from governance advocates, industry stakeholders and members of the public for greater transparency, particularly because the monitoring system plays a critical role in revenue assurance, telecommunications regulation and the government’s efforts to combat international call bypass fraud.
Observers argue that regular disclosure of revenue collections and audited financial statements would strengthen public confidence while reinforcing accountability within one of Liberia’s most strategically important regulatory institutions.
Background To Controversy
Liberia’s telecommunications traffic monitoring program was introduced to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve revenue assurance, combat international call bypass fraud and ensure the accurate payment of regulatory fees by licensed telecommunications operators.
In 2018, the Government of Liberia entered into an agreement with Telecom International Alliance (TIA), an American company, to provide comprehensive telecommunications traffic monitoring and revenue assurance services.
The agreement was subsequently amended and, in 2022, transformed into a concession agreement that was ratified by the National Legislature.
The concession authorized TIA to deploy sophisticated traffic-monitoring technology capable of independently capturing and analyzing telecommunications traffic generated by licensed operators.
Its stated objective was to provide the LTA with accurate regulatory data for revenue verification, fraud detection and enforcement while improving transparency throughout Liberia’s telecommunications sector.
In 2024, following questions surrounding the concession, the Ministry of Justice issued a legal opinion concluding that the agreement remained lawful, valid and enforceable unless set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction.