Liberia’s Justice Minister Defends Anti-Corruption Efforts Amid Growing Criticism
Monrovia, May 13, 2026 — Liberia’s Justice Minister Oswald Tweh has called for patience as the government faces mounting scrutiny over its handling of a high-profile corruption case involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and other ex-officials.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Justice on Tuesday, Tweh pushed back against accusations from within the ruling Unity Party that he has been too passive in prosecuting the case, which centers on allegations of economic sabotage and the misuse of over $6 million in public funds.
“A Marathon, Not a Sprint”
Tweh framed the anti-corruption campaign as a long-term battle requiring steady resolve rather than immediate victories.
“The fight against corruption is not a sprint. It is a marathon,” he said. “It demands patience, resilience, and an enduring faith in our institutions.”
His comments come after vocal criticism from party members who accuse him of failing to take a hands-on role in the prosecution. Charles Roberts, a prominent Unity Party figure, claimed Tweh had effectively “abandoned” the case, despite his role as Liberia’s chief legal officer.
“In a landmark corruption case like this, the Attorney General should be the senior supervisor for the prosecution team,” Roberts argued. “Instead, we see a minister who doesn’t seem to care—someone who doesn’t deserve the position.”
Youth Leader Calls for Tweh’s Removal
The backlash intensified with remarks from Togar Melvin Cephas, a leader in the party’s National Youth Congress, who accused Tweh of undermining President Joseph Boakai’s anti-corruption agenda.
“We came into office promising to fight corruption and restore accountability,” Cephas said. “Yet we have a Justice Minister who appears indifferent to that mission. He is protecting his friends and enriching himself.”
Cephas went further, urging the president to “excuse Oswald Tweh,” calling him “clueless” about the government’s objectives.
Evidence Over Politics, Says Tweh
In response, Tweh defended his approach, insisting that prosecutions must be evidence-based rather than politically motivated.
“We are building a new jurisprudence—one that pursues cases on facts, not politics,” he said. “That trust in our system is more valuable than any single conviction.”
He also pointed to the case as proof that Liberia’s judiciary is capable of holding powerful figures accountable, even if the outcome hasn’t satisfied all critics.
“Some aspects of the verdict may disappoint us,” he acknowledged. “But the bigger picture is clear: Liberia has shown that its courts can handle cases of this magnitude. No one is above the law.”
A Test for Liberia’s Legal System
The case has been seen as a litmus test for Liberia’s judicial independence, particularly after the Supreme Court ruled that classified security operations could not shield officials from corruption allegations.
Tweh emphasized that the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) had refused to back down despite pressure.
“We defeated the argument that powerful officials are untouchable,” he said. “And we will defeat it again wherever it is raised.”
As tensions within the ruling party simmer, the debate highlights the challenges of rooting out entrenched corruption while maintaining public confidence in Liberia’s legal institutions.
— Reported by Nexio News
