By Watson Richards
Monrovia — In closing arguments in the US$6.2 million economic sabotage trial, defense counsel Cllr. Arthur Johnson told jurors that the case stems from administrative disagreement rather than criminal conduct.
He argued that Liberia’s Public Financial Management (PFM) law allows the finance minister discretion to disagree with the president on disbursement procedures, and said the prosecution “criminalized” what was a procedural issue.
Johnson said the State failed to prove theft or personal enrichment by former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, noting that no CCTV footage, written statements, or video evidence were presented to show misuse of funds.
He further argued that any CCTV evidence involving former Comptroller General Moses Cooper was withheld under claims of national security.
He accused the prosecution of selective enforcement, insisting that witnesses did not dispute the existence of a national security emergency or the underlying approvals.
Urging the jury to acquit, Johnson warned against a guilty verdict, saying jurors hold constitutional authority and would “save democracy” by returning not guilty verdicts.
