Former Liberian Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah Denies Corruption Charges, Claims Flawed Investigation
In a dramatic courtroom showdown on Thursday, former Liberian Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah vehemently refuted allegations that he and four other former officials diverted $6.2 million in public funds. Appearing before Criminal Court ‘C’, Tweah argued that the prosecution’s case is built on a flawed investigation and a fundamental misunderstanding of Liberia’s governmental operations.
The case, brought by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), accuses Tweah and his co-defendants—former Acting Justice Minister Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, former Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) Director General Stanley S. Ford, former FIA Comptroller D. Moses P. Cooper, and former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh—of economic sabotage, money laundering, fraud, and other charges.
Institutional Ignorance at the Core of the Case
Tweah’s defense hinges on what he calls the investigators’ lack of institutional knowledge. “The prosecution failed to conduct a thorough, competent investigation,” he stated. “Had they done even modest research, they would understand what is legally and administrically possible within the Government of Liberia.”
He emphasized that the case’s “core problem” lies in the prosecution’s inability to grasp how Liberia’s government functions. Tweah highlighted contradictions in the prosecution’s logic, noting that they simultaneously argue the absence of documents proves guilt while dismissing the relevance of the institutions that issue such documents.
“They cannot have it both ways,” Tweah declared. “The lack of a document does not equate to criminal intent, especially when the body responsible for issuing it is sidelined as irrelevant.”
Money Laundering Allegations Dismissed as “Absurd”
The prosecution alleges that the defendants laundered over L$1 billion and $500,000 by transferring funds between government accounts at the Central Bank of Liberia and the FIA. Tweah, however, dismissed these claims as baseless.
“I oversaw $3.5 billion in government funds during my six years as Finance Minister,” he testified. “By their logic, that entire sum would constitute money laundering. That’s not just false—it’s absurd.”
Tweah argued that the transfers were routine, legal, and fully documented under Liberia’s Public Financial Management Law. He urged the court to dismiss the money laundering charge, stating, “There is no evidence of concealment, illicit origin, or personal enrichment. What they’ve shown are ordinary government operations.”
National Security Council’s Role Under Scrutiny
The indictment also alleges that Jefferson Karmoh, as National Security Advisor, admitted the FIA into the National Joint Security without proper authorization from the Minister of Justice or the National Security Council. Tweah countered that the National Security Council operates under the President’s direction and that the FIA’s inclusion was neither clandestine nor illegal.
“Intelligence agencies globally participate in joint security bodies,” he noted. “Prosecutors have not cited any law or regulation violated by FIA’s inclusion. Coordinating government agencies to combat financial crimes is governance, not criminality.”
Background of the Case
The case stems from alleged unauthorized transfers and withdrawals totaling L$1 billion and $500,000 from the Central Bank of Liberia in late 2023. Prosecutors argue that these transactions breached public financial management rules due to a lack of documented approvals.
The defense, however, contends that the transfers were approved by the National Security Council and executed under emergency conditions.
As the trial continues, Tweah remains steadfast in his innocence, accusing the state of failing to produce credible evidence linking him to any wrongdoing. “The prosecution has not shown any law violated or any funds diverted for personal use,” he asserted.
The courtroom drama has captivated Liberia, raising questions about the integrity of the investigation and the broader implications for governance and accountability in the country.
— Reported by Nexio News
