By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
Cllr. N.Oswald Tweh has defended the Government of Liberia’s handling of the high-profile corruption case involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and several former officials, describing the trial as a major step forward in the country’s fight against corruption despite mixed verdicts delivered by Criminal Court “C”.
Speaking Wednesday at the Ministry of Justice in Monrovia, Minister Tweh said the verdict in the case, Republic v. Samuel D. Tweah et al., demonstrated the strength and independence of Liberia’s judicial system.
The trial centered on allegations involving the transfer and withdrawal of more than US$6 million and over one billion Liberian dollars allegedly moved outside the national budget through accounts belonging to the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).
A jury acquitted former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and former FIA Comptroller D. Moses P. Cooper of all charges.
However, former Solicitor General and Acting Justice Minister Nyanti Tuan was convicted of theft of property, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy, while former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh was found guilty of criminal facilitation and criminal conspiracy.
The jury failed to reach a verdict regarding former FIA Director General Stanley S. Ford.Addressing criticism surrounding the acquittal of the former finance minister, Justice Minister Tweh said the outcome should not be viewed as a defeat for the government.
“The war against corruption is not decided by a single battle,” he declared. “It is decided by the strength of our institutions and our willingness to take on difficult cases.”
According to the Justice Minister, the prosecution established that public funds were transferred into FIA accounts outside of the approved national budget and later withdrawn in cash without adequate documentation or accountability.
He said evidence presented during the trial included Central Bank records, transfer letters allegedly signed by former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, cancelled checks, and testimony from budget officials who stated the transaction bypassed Liberia’s lawful budgetary process.
The Minister also emphasized what he described as a significant legal victory before the case even reached trial.
Cllr. Tweh said the defendants had petitioned the Supreme Court seeking to halt the proceedings on grounds that the transactions were part of a classified national security operation protected by presidential immunity.
According to him, the government successfully opposed the petition, allowing the criminal proceedings to move forward.
“That legal victory established a critical principle,” he said. “Neither a former president’s directive nor a claim of national security secrecy can block a criminal investigation into the disappearance of public funds.”
The Justice Minister praised the prosecution team led by Solicitor General Augustine C. Fayiah, saying prosecutors worked on the case for nearly two years and presented eight witnesses along with eighteen documentary exhibits during the proceedings.
He further acknowledged public disappointment over portions of the verdict but cautioned against undermining prosecutors because of acquittals in some parts of the case.
At the same time, Tweh announced that the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission would conduct an internal review of the investigation and prosecution process to strengthen future anti-corruption efforts.
During his statement, the Minister argued that the evidence showed FIA accounts were used as conduits for public money in a manner never previously practiced by the country’s Joint Security apparatus.
The Justice Minister further claimed that the funds were withdrawn in cash by former FIA Comptroller Moses Cooper without any receipts or records showing how the money was ultimately spent.
“The defense argued that the money was used for classified national security operations,” Tweah said. “But national security secrecy does not protect the disappearance of public money.”
Meanwhile, lawyers representing convicted defendants Nyanti Tuan and Jefferson Karmoh have already filed motions requesting a new trial. The Ministry of Justice said it has filed formal resistance to those motions and intends to pursue sentencing if the court upholds the convictions.
The defendants retain the right to appeal any final judgment to the Supreme Court of Liberia.The case has generated widespread public debate in Liberia, with some citizens viewing the convictions as proof that powerful officials can now be held accountable, while others argue that the acquittals weakened the government’s anti-corruption campaign.
Despite the divided reaction, Justice Minister Tweh insisted the trial marked progress for Liberia’s justice system.“Public service is a sacred trust,” he said. “Those who steal from the people will be pursued, exposed, and sooner or later, they will face justice.”
