By G. Watson Richards
Two former Chiefs of Staff and Ministers of the Ministry of National Defense have told the Court and Jury in the ongoing economic sabotage case in Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice that they had no knowledge of the alleged US$6.2 million disbursement linked to national security operations.
Appearing as prosecution Subpoenaed witnesses in a case brought by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, retired Major Generals Daniel D. Ziankahn, Jr. and Prince Charles Johnson III both denied any awareness of funds reportedly channeled through the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) between September and October 2023.
The case involves several former senior government officials, including ex-Finance Minister Samuel Tweh and former Acting Justice Minister Nyanti Tuan, who face charges ranging from economic sabotage to money laundering.
Witnesses Distance Themselves from Alleged Transactions
Testifying under oath, Ziankahn, who served as Minister of National Defense in 2023, told the court he had “no idea” about any disbursement of funds through FIA accounts for joint security operations.
“In my capacity at the time as co-chair of the Joint Security, I have no idea as it relates to the disbursement of funds through the FIA’s account,” he stated.
Similarly, Johnson, a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, said he was unaware of both the alleged admission of the FIA into the Joint Security framework and any subsequent financial transactions.
“Not to my knowledge concerning any funds coming to the FIA,” Johnson testified.
Prosecution Pushes Despite Objections
Throughout the proceedings, defense lawyers repeatedly objected to questions posed by prosecutors, arguing that they violated provisions of Liberia’s National Security laws,
particularly restrictions on disclosing classified information.
Defense counsel, led by Cllr. Arthur Tamba Johnson cited sections of the National Security Reform and Intelligence Act of 2011, which impose penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment and long-term confidentiality obligations for unauthorized disclosures.
However, the presiding judge, His Honor Ousman F. Feika, consistently overruled the objections, allowing the witnesses to respond.
Clarification on Security Procedures
While denying knowledge of the specific transactions, both witnesses outlined standard procedures for handling national security funding.
They explained that in cases of national emergencies:
Security agencies submit budgetary needs to the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice consolidates and forwards requests to the Ministry of Finance
Final approvals are made under the authority of the President as head of the National Security Council
Johnson emphasized that all emergency funding flows through the Ministry of Justice, not directly to individual agencies.
Trial Continues
The case, being heard during the February Term of Court, is one of Liberia’s most closely watched anti-corruption trials in recent years.
It centers on allegations of transactions (illegal) expenditure of public funds and abuse of national security structures.
At the close of Wednesday’s proceedings, the court adjourned until April 16, 2026, with both prosecution and defense teams expected to continue presenting evidence.
