A senior investigator of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), while on the witness stand on Monday, in Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, informed the court and trial jurors that five former top government officials conspired to divert and misapply public funds under the pretext of national security operations.
Testifying as the prosecution’s first witness, Baba Mohammed Boika, LACC’s Program Manager for Monitoring and Investigation, laid out what he described as a “coordinated and unauthorized scheme” involving large transfers from government accounts to the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), followed by withdrawals that could not be accounted for.
The case, being heard before the assigned Circuit Judge of Criminal Court ‘C’ Ousman F. Feika, involves former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweh Jr., former Acting Justice Minister Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, former FIA Director General Stanley S. Ford, former FIA Comptroller D. Moses P. Cooper, and former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh. They face multiple charges, including economic sabotage, theft, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy.
Investigation Triggered by Media Report
Boika testified that the investigation began in February 2024 after a media report alleged the withdrawal of US$500,000 from an FIA operational account for the purchase of IT equipment that was never procured.
According to Boika, subsequent inquiries revealed that the amount in question exceeded what was initially reported and was allegedly intended for “joint security operations.” However, he said investigators found no evidence that the funds were used for that purpose.
“Unauthorized” Inclusion of FIA in Security Structure
Central to the prosecution’s case is the claim that the FIA was improperly inserted into the Joint Security framework.
Boika testified that Jefferson Karmoh, then National Security Advisor, issued a communication on July 5, 2023, assigning the FIA a security code and admitting it into the Joint Security apparatus.
However, he said Karmoh failed to provide any authorization from the Minister of Justice or the National Security Council, which are ordinarily required for such decisions.
Further testimony indicated that Cllr. Nyanti Tuan later instructed that funds allocated for security operations be channeled through the FIA-despite established procedures requiring such funds to go through institutions like the Ministry of Justice, Liberia National Police, or National Security Agency.
Massive Transfers and Cash Withdrawals
Boika told the court that between September 8 and September 21, 2023, a total of L$1,055,152,540 and US$500,000 were transferred from government accounts to the FIA’s operational accounts.
He said these transfers were authorized by then-Finance Minister Samuel Tweh, based on documents signed and approved within the Ministry of Finance.
According to the witness, the funds were subsequently withdrawn in cash by FIA Comptroller D. Moses Cooper through multiple cheques issued in his name.
Boika testified that Cooper initially claimed he handed the cash to unidentified security personnel at the bank, but later changed his statement, saying he left the funds at the Central Bank of Liberia. Investigators, however, found no evidence supporting either claim.
Officials of the Central Bank, including senior banking personnel, told investigators that no such funds were ever held or redistributed by the bank after withdrawal, Boika said.
No Documentation or Accountability
The LACC investigator emphasized that none of the defendants provided documentation to show how the funds were used.
He testified that:
No receipts or distribution records were produced by Cllr. Tuan despite promises to do so;
No evidence was presented by Karmoh to justify the FIA’s role or confirm disbursement to security agencies;
Cooper failed to identify any recipient of the cash withdrawals;
And Samuel Tweh did not respond to multiple attempts by investigators to obtain his statement.
Boika added that even officials within the Ministry of Finance indicated that the transactions were carried out outside standard procedures and without the knowledge of key departments.
Allegation of Conspiracy
Based on the findings, Boika told the court that investigators concluded the defendants “conspired to illegally transfer and withdraw public funds under the pretext of national security operations and converted same to their own benefit.”
He further stated that the FIA’s accounts were used as a conduit for the movement and withdrawal of funds that remain unaccounted for.
Documentary Evidence Submitted
During the proceedings, the prosecution submitted several pieces of documentary evidence, including:
Bank statements from both government and FIA accounts;
Copies of cheques used to withdraw funds;
Communications authorizing transfers;
Witness statements from government and banking officials;
And the LACC’s final investigative report.
The court admitted multiple exhibits into evidence and ordered the issuance of subpoenas to compel the production of original documents from the Central Bank of Liberia and the FIA.
Trial Continues
The trial was adjourned to March 25, 2026, for continuation of testimony and further proceedings.
The case is being closely watched in Liberia, as it involves senior former officials and raises significant questions about financial oversight, national security funding, and accountability in public office.
