Liberia’s Solicitor General, Augustine C. Fayiah, has revealed that former finance minister Samuel D. Tweah and other ex-officials admitted to taking government funds, but claimed they were acting on orders from former President George Weah. The disclosure comes amid a Supreme Court ruling rejecting their bid for presidential immunity.
Those facing charges include Samuel D. Tweah, former Minister of Finance and Development Planning; Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, former Acting Minister of Justice; Stanley S. Ford, former Director of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA); D. Moses P. Cooper, former FIA Comptroller; and Jefferson Karmoh, former National Security Advisor.
The former officials have been charged with economic sabotage, theft of property, money laundering, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy.
In a recent petition for re-argument before the Supreme Court, the accused argued that as members of the NSC operating under the Office of the President, they were entitled to the same constitutional immunity granted to the President under Article 61 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.
The petitioners further contended that the Court relied on the wrong statutory provision in its earlier ruling, citing Section 2(g) instead of Section 3(b) of the National Security Reform and Intelligence Act of 2011, whih outlines the composition of the NSC.
However, the Supreme Court acknowledged the citation error but described it as “harmless,” stressing that it did not affect the substance or outcome of the decision.
Delivering the opinion of the Court, Justice Boakai N. Kanneh held that even under the correct statutory provision, no law grants immunity to members of the NSC.
“The immunity enjoyed by the President springs from the Constitution and is not transferable to third parties,” the Court emphasized.
The Court further ruled that the NSC’s placement within the Office of the President does not extend presidential immunity to its members. While officials of the Council may expend funds for national security purposes, any alleged misuse of such funds remains subject to investigation and prosecution under the law.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s Solicitor General, Augustine C. Fayiah, disclosed that Tweah and the other accused officials admitted to taking the money in question but maintained that the action was carried out under the direct mandate of former President George Weah.
Counsel representing Tweah and the other defendants has not publicly responded to the Solicitor General’s statement.
The case continues as the prosecution moves forward with its proceedings against the former officials.
