By G. Watson Richards
The fifteen-member jury in the ongoing US$6.2 million economic sabotage trial involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and several co-defendants is expected to return a verdict on Friday, May 8, 2026, in Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
On Tuesday, both prosecution and defense rested their cases after presenting oral and documentary evidence, marking the close of the trial phase. Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday at 11:30 a.m.
Presiding Judge Osuman F. Feika will hear final arguments before the jury begins deliberations.
Both sides are expected to present their final arguments to guide the jury’s decision.
The trial, which has lasted several months, featured conflicting testimonies from witnesses.
The defendants face charges including economic sabotage, theft of public funds, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy.
A key moment came from rebuttal witness Baba Mohammed Boika of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), who rejected defense claims that the case was based on speculation.
Boika told the court the allegations are supported by investigative findings, citing large public fund transfers allegedly made without evidence of their use for national security purposes.
He questioned the defense position, asking which joint security agency received the money. He stated that none of the agencies referenced during the investigation confirmed receipt of the funds, and no supporting documents were presented.
He testified that government accounts transferred funds to the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) in several installments, including more than L$1 billion and US$500,000. The transactions reportedly occurred on September 8, 19, and 21, 2023, without legislative approval.
“These are not assumptions,” Boika said. “They are facts established through investigation.”
Former Acting Minister of Justice Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, representing the defense, argued that the payments were made within the framework of the National Security Council and followed established internal security procedures.
He also questioned testimony from co-defendant Jefferson S. Karmoh, who said he became aware of the transfers only after receiving official correspondence, suggesting that the lack of objection indicated awareness of the process.
The defense maintained that national security expenditures are subject to strict confidentiality rules, where operational needs may override standard documentation procedures. Tuan further stated that audits of such funds require presidential authorization and are conducted under restricted conditions.
When asked to identify beneficiary agencies, the defense declined, citing legal restrictions tied to classified security matters.
The prosecution maintains there is no verifiable evidence that the funds were used for legitimate security operations.
With both sides having rested, the case now proceeds to closing arguments, after which the jury will deliberate and return a verdict in a trial seen as significant for public accountability in Liberia’s financial governance.
