Liberia court stalls corruption case over $1.7 million fund

Rural women traders in Liberia’s River Cess County are angry after officials from the Weah administration allegedly stole US$1.7 million meant for their empowerment. The funds, part of the 2023 Vulnerable Small Business Support Program, were disbursed but never reached the intended beneficiaries. The case has stalled in court with no trial date set.

Seven people, including former Commerce Minister Mawine G. Diggs and officials from the Liberia Marketing Association, were indicted in April by Liberia’s Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force. Court filings from June stated US$493,000 and LRD 190 million were used for personal gain instead of reaching vulnerable rural women. Mission Mai Sam, a mother of eight, said the stolen money could have helped expand farms and keep children in school.

This case is the latest test for President Joseph Boakai’s anti-corruption drive, which established a Task Force in March 2024. The Task Force has indicted over 60 cases but secured only one conviction. In a separate case, eight defendants were found guilty in the Saudi Rice corruption trial over diverted rice valued at US$500,000.

Why it mattersRural women traders in River Cess County are directly affected by the alleged theft of US$1.7 million intended to help them expand their farms and support their children's education.

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