By G. Watson Richards
The ongoing economic sabotage trial involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweh and several co-defendants grew tense on Friday, April 24, 2026, as prosecutors sharply questioned claims made by Tweah while testifying as defense first witness that more than US$6 million in public funds were legally spent on national security operations.
The case, Republic of Liberia vs. Samuel D. Tweh et al., is being heard at Criminal Court ‘C’ before Judge Ousman F. Feika.
Those on trials include former Acting Justice Minister Nyanti Tuan and former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh, former Director of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), Stanley Forh, and former Controller General of FIA D. Moses Cooper.
Those defendants are facing charges ranging from economic sabotage, money laundering, theft, misused of public funds, and criminal conspiracy.
The allegations center on the transfer of over L$1 billion and US$500,000 to accounts linked to the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).
Prosecution presses on authorization
During cross-examination, prosecutors focused on whether the transactions followed proper legal channels, particularly whether the Ministry of Justice formally requested the funds.
“The Acting Minister of Justice did not send you a request for the disbursement… Am I correct to say so?” the prosecution asked.
Defense lawyers objected several times, arguing that the question had already been answered and was argumentative, but the court allowed it to stand.
Tweah pushed back, saying the matter had been repeatedly addressed.
“I believe the answer to that question has been provided at least on 10 different occasions… All actions taken by the accused persons are lawful and legal,” Tweah testified on the witness stand.
Defense leans on national security argument
The defense continues to argue that the funds were part of legitimate, classified security spending during the 2023 election period.
Responding to questions about the absence of a declared emergency, Tweah said such spending does not depend on public declarations.
“Any government during that period is under obligation to safeguard life and property… The amount in question was part of the National Security Budget submitted and approved by the [National Security Council],” he said.
He also pointed to what he described as larger security spending under the current administration.
“This government has spent more than 45 million USD in covert classified National Security Intelligence spending… I don’t believe there has been any declared emergency other than the Guinea border crises,” he asserted on the witness stand.
Prosecutors dismissed those comparisons, insisting the case before the court concerns specific transactions, not broader government practices.
Dispute over financial procedures
Another key issue was whether standard financial procedures were followed, especially the role of the Deputy Minister for Budget.
The prosecution argued that failing to notify that office raises questions about the legality of the transfers:
“That information was not passed on… consistent with your practice… Will I be correct to say so?”
Tweah disagreed on cross-examination explaining that such transactions are not immediately visible to the budget office.
“When direct debit happens, I do not know… it happens under the office of the Comptroller… she will only know during the reconciliation process,” he said.
He added that reconciliation is typically done at the end of the fiscal period and can take weeks or months.
“All direct debits are an end-of-year issue… reconciliation takes time,” he said.
Defense alleges political motive
Tweah, while on cross-examination lamented that the case is politically motivated, arguing that the transition of power disrupted routine financial processes.
“Had we won the election, the reconciliation would have been done… this government decided to politicize the whole thing,” he told the court.
He, among other things intimated that the ongoing investigations prevented the normal reconciliation process from taking place.
“All documentation… became subject to criminal investigation, so no reconciliation was done,” he added.
Accountability questions remain
Prosecutors said investigators were unable to determine how the funds were distributed among security agencies.
“The investigation did not get information as to which entity received what amount,” the prosecution said.
The defense maintained that such details fall under classified national security operations.
“That path is National Security classified… you will not be told on that basis,” the witness responded.
Heated exchanges in court
Friday’s proceedings were marked by frequent objections from defense lawyers, who challenged several questions as repetitive, argumentative, or improper. Judge Feika alternated between overruling and sustaining objections as the exchanges grew increasingly tense.
Trial continues Monday
After several hours, the court adjourned proceedings.
“Time being far spent this trial case is ordered continued to Monday… April 27, 2026 at the hour of 10:00am,” Judge Feika ruled.
Now in its 61st day, the trial continues to draw strong public interest in Monrovia, with broader implications for how national security spending is handled and scrutinized in Liberia.
