By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: State indicted former Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Samuel D. Tweah Jr., has categorically debunked rumors of his departure from Liberia to avoid prosecution on corruption charges.
Mr. Tweah cited his need for rest as reason for his current absence from the country.
Speaking via OK FM yesterday, September 30, 2024, Tweah addressed several pressing issues, including the salary harmonization process, the recent audit reports, and allegations regarding the death of Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua, Director General, Liberia Internal Audit Agency.
Tweah, who served as Finance Minister for six years, clarified his departure: “I didn’t escape from the country. After six years without taking leave, I needed to rest. My exit has nothing to do with any audit report or lawsuits at the Temple of Justice.”
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 court granted Tweah US$8 million bail, with his trial set for November 12, 2024.
He emphasized that he remains committed to addressing the legal matters before the court at the Temple of Justice.
Responding to criticisms of ‘salary harmonization policy’ implemented during his time as Minister, Tweah was unapologetic: “When you take over a government, you have to carry out reforms. Harmonization was necessary to bring salaries in line with roles across ministries, including Finance and Agriculture. The government budgeted around $200 million for salaries, but we would need $400 million to equalize everything.”
Tweah called on the new government to approach the issue practically, not theoretically, urging them to be honest about the challenges posed by harmonization.
Tweah defended the immediate past government’s job creation efforts.
He boasted that thousands of health workers were added to government payroll during the erstwhile administration of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), led government.
He added that up to 4,000 individuals found employment with government through its initiatives.
“No president has solved more serious problems in Liberia than the government led by ex-President George M. Weah,” he asserted.
Commenting on the controversial death of Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua, former Head of the Internal Audit Agency, ex-minister Tweah refuted accusations that he avoided questioning by investigators of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
“I didn’t refuse to cooperate, but I knew if I went to the police, I would have been arrested immediately,” he explained.
He recounted how his brother, Norris Tweah, transported Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua to the JFK Medical Center, but upon his arrival, the situation turned dire. “By the time Dr. Jallah and Dr. Browne arrived, Barten’s body was no longer there. The way people have politicized this situation is unfortunate,” he expressed.
In 2020, there were suspicious deaths of four public-sector internal auditors, a situation which generated public outcries, and with vehement calls for thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incidents.
Occurring over eight days, from October 3-10, the four deaths involved Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua, director general, Internal Audit Agency(IAA); and Albert Peters, Gifty Lama, and George F. Fanbutu, all of whom were with the state-owned Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).
All four auditors were reportedly conducting audits of Liberia government accounts over allegations of misappropriation of funds.
Nyeswua reportedly died of an apparent fall, while the others died in apparent car accidents.
In his radio appearance, Tweah reiterated his faith in Liberia’s democratic institutions and legal system.
“I trust the democracy of our country. Even with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), officials cannot simply be dismissed without due process,” he remarked.
However, Tweah voiced concerns over what he perceives as political witch hunts, pointing to the dismissal of civil servants and alleged violations of procurement processes by the current administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
He expressed fears about illegal arrest, while clarifying that he is not afraid of legal consequences if handled appropriately.
“I am not afraid of legal arrest but I am afraid of illegal arrest. The court issue is a watch hunt: it is seen in the dismissal of civil servants and people in tenure positions,” he added.
Tweah also touched on Liberia’s ongoing iron ore development and the challenges surrounding the rail system linking the Nimba Mountains to the Port of Buchanan.
He discussed how High-Power Exploration Inc. (HPX) and ArcelorMittal Liberia have been locked in a struggle over control of this critical infrastructure.
“The Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) grants ArcelorMittal Liberia exclusive rights to the railway, but HPX was struggling to seek approval from the government to use it as well. This has sparked tensions,” he explained.
Tweah disclosed that HPX had strategically positioned its agents in government meetings, gathering insider information to oppose ArcelorMittal’s control of the railway.
He further revealed that during renegotiations, it was agreed that other companies, including HPX, could use the railway, with the government benefiting from additional resources. Despite this agreement, HPX opposed the arrangement, arguing against ArcelorMittal’s operator role. “HPX’s opposition is driven by its desire to secure control over the infrastructure, but ArcelorMittal has invested heavily—over $500 million—into making the rail operational,” Tweah said.
On his legal standing, Tweah stressed his constitutional right to due process. “It is my right to be entitled to bail. If you’re indicted, you are under the court, not the executive branch,” he pointed out, adding that he has confidence in the country’s judicial system.
