Former Security Advisor to President George Weah, Jefferson Karmoh, and former Solicitor General of Liberia, Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, have been jailed by the Monrovia City Court on charges of economic sabotage.
These high-profile arrests come amidst a broader crackdown on corruption within the Weah-Taylor administration.
Jefferson Karmoh, along with other top officials, was apprehended earlier this week. Among the accused are former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, former Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) Comptroller D. Moses P. Cooper, and former FIA Director General Stanley Ford.
They face a litany of charges, including economic sabotage, theft, illegal disbursement and expenditure of public money, theft of property, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy.
The charges stem from a complaint filed by the government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
The indictment alleges that in July 2023, the defendants conspired to appoint Stanley Ford to the National Security Council, violating the National Security Act of Liberia.
By September 2023, the defendants allegedly executed a scheme under the guise of their official duties with Liberia’s Joint Security, criminally transferring funds from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to FIA operational accounts.
The amounts involved are substantial, totaling L$1,055,152,540.00 and US$500,000.00, which were allegedly withdrawn and misappropriated.
The case has seen significant developments, with Karmoh being the third former official of the Weah-Taylor government to be imprisoned at the Monrovia Central Prison in a single day on charges of economic sabotage.
The news of these arrests has been met with a mix of shock and calls for justice.
In a separate but related incident, Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, former Solicitor General, was also arrested and jailed after failing to secure a valid criminal appearance bond.
Monrovia City Court Judge Ben Barco issued arrest warrants for several former government officials as part of an extensive investigation by the Ministry of Justice and the LACC into allegations of economic sabotage and theft.
According to court documents obtained by Verity Newspaper, the defendants allegedly orchestrated an elaborate scheme to defraud the government by transferring large sums from the CBL to FIA accounts under false pretenses.
The funds were reportedly withdrawn shortly thereafter with no record of their intended use, suggesting they were converted for personal gain.
The Ministry of Justice and LACC have categorized these actions as criminal facilitation, theft of property, and criminal conspiracy, all severe violations of Liberia’s New Penal Law.
These allegations have raised serious concerns about the integrity and accountability of former government officials.
The court has instructed Captain Charles Bloyuefloh and other police officers to apprehend the remaining defendants and bring them before the Monrovia City Court.
Despite these efforts, only Cllr. Nyenati Tuan has been arrested and remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison, awaiting trial.
Former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, another key figure in the case, is reportedly out of the country in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire, complicating the pursuit of justice.
These high-profile arrests reflect a significant effort by Liberian authorities to tackle corruption and uphold the rule of law.
The case has garnered substantial public attention, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing corruption and ensuring accountability among public officials.
As the investigation progresses and the defendants are brought to trial, further details are expected to emerge.
The outcome of this case will be a critical test of Liberia’s resolve to combat corruption and promote transparent governance.
In the meantime, the arrests have sparked widespread discussion and a strong call for justice from the Liberian public. The nation watches closely, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of integrity and accountability.
