MONROVIA – The Ministry of Justice has taken over the investigation into the alleged jury tampering scandal surrounding the corruption trial of former Finance Minister Samuel Tweh, following the release of all 15 jurors who had been detained in connection with the case.
Criminal Court “C” on Thursday ordered the release of the remaining 12 jurors after previously freeing three others identified by the court as whistleblowers for cooperating with its internal investigation.
Among those earlier released were Catherine Quawah and Cynthia Tarplah. Court records indicate that Quawah admitted facilitating the delivery of a mobile phone into the courthouse and alleged that several jurors maintained unauthorized communication with individuals outside the courtroom during the trial.
The court said the remaining jurors were released because the Ministry of Justice is set to commence a formal criminal investigation into the alleged jury misconduct beginning Friday. The probe will seek to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to bring criminal charges against any of the jurors or other individuals implicated in the alleged interference.
The jury tampering allegations dealt a significant blow to the high-profile corruption case against Tweh. Criminal Court “C” nullified the jury’s acquittal verdict, declared a mistrial, and ordered that the case be retried before a newly constituted jury.
The Ministry of Justice’s investigation is expected to establish the full extent of the alleged misconduct and determine whether criminal prosecutions will follow.
