Africa-Press – Liberia. Suspended Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Abdullai L. Kamara, has been released on bond following his arrest and brief detention at the Monrovia Central Prison.
Kamara was arrested on Tuesday, September 9, after the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) filed a criminal indictment against him.
The indictment, authorized by the Grand Jury for Montserrado County, accused Kamara and others of multiple economic and financial crimes, including, Economic Sabotage, Theft of Property, Misuse of Public Funds, Illegal Disbursement and Expenditure of Public Money, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, Criminal Facilitation, Criminal Conspiracy and Criminal Solicitation.
These charges stem from Kamara’s previous role as Chief Executive Officer of TAMMA Corporation, before his appointment to the LTA.
According to court documents, Kamara and TAMMA Corporation allegedly received payments totaling US$54,500 and L$22.5 million in May 2023, and an additional US$1.2 million between June and November 2023, from the LTA. These disbursements were reportedly made without a written contract, Board approval, or any defined scope of work.
The funds were supposedly earmarked for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities under the Liberia Digital Transformation Project (LDTP), a government initiative targeting youth digital empowerment.
The prosecution claims that the selection of TAMMA Corporation for the LDTP bypassed public procurement procedures required by the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), making the deal unlawful.
The payments were allegedly authorized by Edwina Crump Zackpah, then Chairperson of the LTA.
Investigators further alleged that no verifiable services were delivered in return and that the funds remain unaccounted for.
The LACC has accused the defendants of engaging in fraudulent activities with criminal intent, violating several sections of the Liberian Penal Code ,Title 26.
Initially, Kamara had distanced himself from TAMMA Corporation during an earlier corruption probe, arguing he had relinquished managerial control prior to the questionable transactions.
However, the LACC has refiled a targeted indictment, this time naming him individually and focusing on his alleged direct role in the financial mismanagement.
The indictment was signed on August 8, by Court Clerk Knowles W. Shain and executed by Major Austine Seinavula of the Montserrado County Sheriff’s Office.
Kamara is expected to appear in court later this week as the case proceeds under the jurisdiction of Criminal Assizes “C”.
The prosecution maintains that the defendants have no affirmative legal defense, and their alleged actions have caused financial loss to the Government of Liberia and its people.
This case is seen as a test of the government’s commitment to fighting public sector corruption and holding high-ranking officials accountable.
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