Monrovia, Liberia- A dossier of leaked documents obtained by Verity News has exposed a series of alleged financial irregularities and governance failures within the senior management of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), sparking public outcry and calls for immediate investigation.
A leaked letter addressed to Cllr. Alexandria Korma Zoe, Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), details discrepancies in revenue reporting, unexplained expenditures, and suspected violations of procurement procedures under the leadership of Director General Christopher D. Sankolo.
LACRA, established in 2014 as a semi-autonomous government agency replacing the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC), is tasked with regulating the country’s agricultural commodity trade.
According to the leaked letter and other financial documents in possession of this paper, the current management team assumed control of the institution on March 28, 2024, during a turnover conducted by Human Resources Officer Mr. Jackson K. Miller.
At the time, the bank balance reportedly stood at just $470.00 USD. However, the document outlines multiple allegations that contradict this account:
Revenue Discrepancy: Internal financial records allegedly show that LACRA generated more than $1.5 million USD between April 2024 and March 2025.
This sharply contrasts with a statement made by DG Sankolo during an interview on OK FM on April 7, 2025, in which he claimed the agency earned only $700,000 USD during that period. The report challenges management’s claim about the initial $470.00 USD balance, stating that as of April 16, 2025, and the account had a closing balance of $9,327.54 USD.
LACRA’s leadership is accused of withholding the full extent of revenue generated, including unspecified government support funds, from both internal stakeholders and external oversight bodies.
The leaked document also highlights the absence of a formal procurement plan and alleges that contracts were awarded to unnamed vendors, raising red flags about transparency and compliance with public procurement laws.
The contents of the leak portray an institution plagued by internal distrust and low morale. Describing an atmosphere akin to a “cold war,” the document claims that management’s secretive practices have led to a breakdown in communication, reduced productivity, and a decline in public confidence in LACRA’s operations.
“The behavior of the management team is unacceptable under the circumstances and requires immediate attention,” the document warns, urging the LACC to launch an investigation before the situation further deteriorates.
However, a source within the agency confirmed that it is standard procedure for such reports to undergo a preliminary review before determining whether to open a formal investigation.
This paper also reached out to the Director General. In response, Director General Christopher D. Sankolo clarified that at no point did he mention that the institution generated $700,000.00 USD.
“Thanks for reaching out. But did you really listen to the interview on OK FM? If you did, you won’t be quoting me as saying we generated $700,000. It seems that some people are more interested in falsehood or bringing people than they’re interested in the truth,” he asserted.
LACRA Director General indicated that during his appearance at OK FM’s station on April 7, 2025, he listed all of the initiatives the agency has undertaken with a bank balance of $700,000.00.
“I listed all of the different initiatives we had undertaken just under a year and was reporting that even with all that my administration had done we still had a bank balance of over $700, 000.00,” he added.
He further accused one of his deputies of conniving with some exporters to smuggle cocoa for his personal benefits.
“And we have provided this clarity on a daily basis since March because one of my deputies who was involved with conniving with exporters to smuggle cocoa for his personal interests has been trying very hard to bring me down since I action to curb his scheme by employing and deploying additional inspectors at the gates,” LACRA DG asserted.
