Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice has resumed jurisdiction over a high-profile corruption and money laundering case involving former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah and four other former senior government officials, following the reading of a mandate from the Supreme Court of Liberia.
The case centers on the alleged misappropriation and laundering of US$6.2 million in public funds. The funds were reportedly linked to national security allocations-a key point raised by the defense in earlier proceedings.
The lawyers representing Tweah and others argued that the monies in question were legally appropriated for national security purposes and thus fell outside the scope of criminal prosecution. However, in its ruling, the Supreme Court clarified that while a sitting President enjoys constitutional immunity that protection does not extend to other government officials.
Following the reading of the mandate on Tuesday, Solicitor General Cllr. Augustine Fayiah expressed confidence that the matter would proceed expeditiously, predicting that it could become one of the shortest trials on the court’s docket.
Resident Circuit Judge His Honor A. Blamo Dixon subsequently reaffirmed the court’s authority and ordered the arrest of the accused.
Tweah, who authorities describe as a fugitive, has reportedly remained at large since July 30, 2024, and has yet to comply with the court’s arrest order.
The other defendants named in the indictment include Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, former Acting Minister of Justice and Solicitor General; Stanley S. Ford, former Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA); D. Moses P. Cooper, former Comptroller of the FIA; and Jefferson Karmoh, former National Security Advisor.
They face multiple charges, including economic sabotage, money laundering, fraud, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, misuse of public money, and theft of property.
The Indictment
The indictment, issued by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County during the court’s August Term A.D. 2024, formally commands law enforcement to arrest the accused. The writ, dated September 6, 2024, and signed by Clerk of Court Knowles W. Shain, states:
“YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED TO ARREST THE LIVING BODIES OF SAMUEL D. TWEAH, CLLR. NYANTI TUAN, STANLEY S. FORD, D. MOSES P. COOPER AND JEFFERSON KARMOH, DEFENDANTS, NAMED IN THE ABOVE ENTITLED CAUSE OF ACTION, CHARGED WITH THE COMMISSION OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED CRIMES, BASED UPON THE INDICTMENT PREPARED AGAINST THEM BY THE GRAND JURY DULY SELECTED, EMPANELLED, AND SWORN TO INQUIRE IN AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF MONTSERRADO COUNTY, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, AND TO FORTHWITH BRING THEM BEFORE THIS HONORABLE COURT…”
The indictment lists the following offenses:
Economic Sabotage-including fraud on the internal revenue of Liberia, misuse of public money, property, or record, and theft and/or illegal disbursement and expenditure of public money
Theft of Property
Money Laundering
Criminal Facilitation
Criminal Conspiracy
The writ further commands the Sheriff of Montserrado County or his deputy to execute the arrests and make official returns to the court detailing the manner of service.
The proceedings are being closely watched both domestically and internationally as a major test of Liberia’s commitment to combating corruption and strengthening the rule of law.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for public accountability, governance reforms, and investor confidence in the West African nation.
With the Supreme Court’s mandate now read into the record and the trial court’s jurisdiction reestablished, attention shifts to whether the defendants-particularly Tweah-will appear before the court to answer the charges as ordered.
