By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: Former Finance Minister, Samuel D. Tweah Jr., celebrated what he described as a triumph for Liberian justice after being granted bail by Criminal Court ‘C’ on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The court ruling came after Tweah returned to Liberia following months of absence, and in response to his indictment on charges of embezzlement and economic sabotage.
In a passionate social media statement, titled “The Triumph of Liberian Justice”, Tweah reflected on the court’s decision, declaring it a victory not just for himself but for the principles of independent and transparent justice in Liberia.
He accused the Unity Party (UP)-led government of orchestrating a political witch-hunt aimed at parading him as a scapegoat for the administration’s anti-corruption agenda.
“September 25, 2024, will go down in the annals of Liberian jurisprudence as one of the finest days in the administration of independent and transparent justice,” wrote Tweah.
He described the judge’s decision to grant him bail as a rebuke to what he characterized as the government’s attempts to weaponize the judiciary for political gain.
Tweah faces accusations of diverting over L$1 billion and US$500,000 from the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), funds intended for national security and financial oversight.
The charges, brought forward by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), include economic sabotage, fraud, and criminal conspiracy, stemming from suspicious financial transfers that occurred between September 8 and 21, 2023.
The investigation revealed that Tweah allegedly authorized these transactions without the required approval from Liberia’s National Joint Security and National Security Council, leading to questions about the legality of the transfers.
The funds were swiftly removed by Moses P. Cooper, the then-Acting Financial Controller of the FIA, and nearly all the money disappeared within a month, leaving only L$7,500 in the account.
Despite the severity of the charges, Tweah’s legal counsel, Cllr. Arthur Johnson, maintained that the funds were used for national security purposes during the 2023 national elections. Johnson argued that the accusations were politically motivated, a narrative Tweah has consistently echoed.
In his post, Tweah painted a picture of resilience, having been advised by many to remain abroad and avoid returning to Liberia for fear of being unjustly paraded in handcuffs. He explained his decision to come back, even if it meant facing “unjust and politically-motivated imprisonment,” emphasizing his commitment to clearing his name.
“I had left Liberia since January 23, 2024, and was in no way a fugitive from justice,” he declared, adding that he chose to return on his terms, not as a fugitive, but in full confidence of the legal process.
He reiterated his belief that there are still individuals in Liberia committed to upholding the law, even in the face of a government that he claims is intent on using the judiciary for political purposes.
He expressed his profound gratitude to his supporters and particularly thanked his wife, whom he called a “prayer warrior,” along with her network of pastors.
Tweah also had sharp words for those who wished to see him in handcuffs, stating that they did not understand the democratic Liberia that has been built.
He promised to further expound on the country’s democratic traditions during upcoming radio appearances, where he would also speak about those who had allegedly sought his downfall.
The court granted Tweah an $8 million bail, with his trial set for November 12, 2024.
While Tweah was released, his co-defendants — former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh, ex-Solicitor General Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, and Moses P. Cooper — remain in prison, having failed to meet their bond requirements. Judge Ben Barcon denied their request for personal recognizance bonds, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges.
The defense had earlier filed a Writ of Prohibition with the Supreme Court to halt the LACC’s proceedings, but the petition was denied on September 3, 2024.
This cleared the way for the trial to proceed, setting the stage for what promises to be a high-profile case with potential political ramifications.
Tweah has vowed to use the trial as an opportunity to expose the alleged malpractices of the ruling Unity Party administration, calling the charges against him part of a larger political strategy aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
He also suggested that the arrests and accusations against him and others were distractions from the financial mismanagement within the current government, pointing to a recent exposé in the Liberian media.
