Monrovia, Liberia– Associate Justice Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay has dismissed the Ministry of Justice’s petition to halt the trial of former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and his co-defendants, allowing Criminal Court “C” to proceed with the case.
This ruling, issued Tuesday, December 10, 2024, marks the latest development in a legal battle that has been plagued by delays and procedural challenges for several months.
The government had sought a writ of certiorari to overturn the decision of Criminal Court “C” under Judge Blamo Dixon, who accepted an $8 million property valuation bond filed by the defendants, thus preventing their detention.
Prosecutors argued that the bond was insufficient to meet legal standards, and they sought intervention from the Supreme Court.
However, Justice Gbeisay found no compelling reason to interfere with the trial’s progress, dismissing the request and allowing the case to continue.
The case, which involves allegations of economic sabotage, centers on claims that Tweah and four other individuals mismanaged public funds.
The defense, led by Cllr. Arthur Johnson, has consistently argued that the government’s case is based on weak evidence and that the legal challenges against the bond were a distraction designed to delay the trial.
In a statement following the ruling, Cllr. Johnson described Justice Gbeisay’s decision as a victory for due process. “This decision confirms what we have always maintained: the defendants are entitled to a fair trial without political interference,” he stated.
Continuing, “The property bond meets all legal requirements, and the government’s argument was an unnecessary distraction.”
Critics of the Ministry of Justice’s handling of the case have accused prosecutors of missteps and procedural errors, further complicating the trial.
The government now faces mounting pressure to present a stronger case in the ongoing proceedings, which have already drawn significant public attention.
It remains unclear whether state prosecutors will seek an appeal of Justice Gbeisay’s ruling to the full Supreme Court bench.
However, with the case now back in the hands of Criminal Court “C,” Judge Blamo Dixon is expected to resume hearings, allowing both sides to present their arguments in full.
The ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding due process and ensuring that legal proceedings are not unduly delayed, providing an opportunity for a fair trial free from external interference.
