The Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) has clarified the current status of the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC), following assertions attributed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, that the Court has already been established by the Legislature.

The clarification follows a video posting in which House Speaker Koon is seen informing the President and representatives of the Federation of Liberian Youth on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while receiving a petition from the FLY calling for the speedy passage of the WECC and NACC Bills currently before the House of Representatives and Senate. Responding to Mr. Duku Jallah appeal for the speedy enactment of the courts, Speaker Koon stated that the Legislature has already passed the War Crimes Court legislation, and as proof, he referenced Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu as heading the court.

“As my memory can set me right, we have passed the War Crimes Court, and if the War Crimes Court wasn’t passed, we couldn’t have had Dr. Barbu there as Executive Director; it was passed before I could even become Speaker.”

While OWECC-L appreciates the cooperation, engagement, and coordination demonstrated by the National Legislature in the ongoing transitional justice process, the Office says that the Speaker’s information that the War Crimes Court has already been established is not the case; rather, the President, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., issued Executive Order Number 131 establishing the OWECC-L and, in October 2024, appointed Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu as Executive Director to lead the establishment of the WECC and NACC.

OWECC-L clarifies that the Honorable Legislature has before them the Harmonized WECC and NACC Bills submitted by OWECC-L in September based on the instruction of both Houses. Those Bills as far as the country is informed, are being reviewed by the Legislature. Therefore, they have not been passed into law. This OWECC-L believes is prompting civil society organizations, victims and survivors support groups, religious institutions, FLY and other stakeholders to urge the Legislature to act speedily.

 The existence of OWECC-L and the appointment of an Executive Director are part of the preparatory and institutional process leading toward the establishment of the Court. They should not, however, be interpreted to mean that the Court itself has already been legally constituted and operationalized.

The Office further emphasizes that the establishment of the WECC requires the completion of the legislative process, including the passage and enactment of the relevant legislation and the establishment of the legal, administrative, judicial and financial mechanisms necessary for the Court to function effectively and independently.

OWECC-L acknowledges the important role of the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate in advancing the national accountability agenda.

The Office believes that clarity concerning the status of the WECC is essential, particularly at a time when Liberians are closely following developments surrounding the Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC).

OWECC-L therefore welcomes the recent deliberations and discussions within the National Legislature concerning the draft legislation for the WECC and NACC. The Office considers these developments to be an important step toward translating the national commitment to accountability into concrete legal institutions.

As mandated by the President and the Honorable Legislature, OWECC-L remains committed to working with the National Legislature and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the establishment process moves forward in a manner that is transparent, inclusive and consistent with the aspirations of the Liberian people.