By Lewis S. Teh
MONROVIA, Liberia, October 23, 2026: The Executive Director of the Witness Protection Agency, Atty. Teklo Maxwell Grigsby, says constitutional immunities protecting senior government officials and legal loopholes continue to undermine Liberia’s fight against corruption despite significant progress over the past two decades.
Speaking Thursday at the Governance Commission’s Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue on Transparency, Accountability and Citizens’ Participation for Inclusive Development, Grigsby called for constitutional reforms and passage of the proposed Anti-Corruption Court Law.
He acknowledged progress in establishing anti-corruption institutions, including the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), strengthening the General Auditing Commission (GAC), and enacting the Code of Conduct, Whistleblower Protection Law and Witness Protection Law.
However, Grigsby criticized Article 61 of the 1986 Constitution, arguing that its protection of a sitting President from prosecution creates obstacles to accountability.
He also questioned constitutional immunities granted to lawmakers and judicial officials, describing such protections as potential barriers to prosecuting public officials.
“These immunities are elements of corruption,” he declared, urging the Governance Commission to champion constitutional amendments.
Grigsby further criticized provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law requiring timely prosecution of defendants, arguing that limited court time and procedural delays have contributed to the dismissal of corruption cases.
He cited the five-year statute of limitations applicable to certain corruption offenses as another challenge, referencing past cases dismissed because prosecutors failed to meet legal deadlines.
According to him, the proposed Anti-Corruption Court Law would address these weaknesses, streamline corruption trials and reduce prolonged judicial delays.
“That law will solve most of the things I’m talking about,” he said, urging citizens to press lawmakers for its passage.
On witness protection, Grigsby disclosed that the agency is handling cases involving witnesses in international criminal proceedings, including cases in the United States and Europe.
He also revealed that some government ministers have been invited to hearings over alleged retaliation against whistleblowers, warning that Civil Service Agency nondisclosure directives cannot override the Whistleblower Protection Law.
Grigsby further disclosed a proposal backed by President Joseph Boakai to increase whistleblower incentives from five to 10 percent to encourage reporting of corruption.
He argued that stronger accountability and improved management of tax expenditures could significantly increase government revenue.
Despite the challenges, Grigsby expressed optimism about Liberia’s anti-corruption efforts.
“We are hopeful about this country. We’re not worried. We’re very hopeful,” he said.
The post Constitutional Immunities Fuel Corruption -Grigsby appeared first on Liberia news The New Dawn Liberia, premier resource for latest news.