Former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. has accused Vice President Jeremiah Koung of directing Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousmane Feika to overturn a jury’s verdict acquitting him, describing the alleged move as political interference in the judiciary.
In a strongly worded statement issued ahead of the court’s ruling, Tweah claimed that Judge Feika had been instructed to set aside the acquittal based on what he described as “bogus and spurious” allegations of jury misconduct, despite allegedly finding no evidence linking him or his legal team to any wrongdoing.
Tweah further alleged that the government had been divided for weeks over the matter, claiming that some government officials and Supreme Court justices opposed overturning the jury’s verdict, warning that such a move would undermine the independence of the judiciary and fuel perceptions of selective justice.
According to Tweah, Vice President Koung allegedly argued that securing future electoral victories was more important than protecting the rule of law. The former minister also claimed intelligence reports indicated that a final decision was delivered to Judge Feika following government consultations and a national security assessment.
Tweah maintained that the jury’s verdict had already settled the matter, insisting that he was a “free man” and declaring that Judge Feika’s only lawful option was to issue his certificate of acquittal.
“If he refuses, I will submit to no bogus political trial in violation of my constitutional rights,” Tweah said, adding that while the government sought to brand him a criminal, he was prepared to become what he called a “freedom fighter.”
The former minister also warned against what he described as growing political interference in Liberia’s judicial system, arguing that the country had moved beyond the era of autocratic governance where political leaders dictated judicial outcomes.
He further challenged Judge Feika and Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh Gbeisay to resist alleged political pressure, accusing the government of targeting him for political reasons.
Tweah concluded his statement with calls against what he termed judicial manipulation and tyranny, announcing that he would address the media following the court’s ruling.
The allegations made by Tweah have not been independently verified, and neither Vice President Jeremiah Koung nor the Judiciary had publicly responded to his claims at the time of publication.
