Former Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel D. Tweah Jr., has been acquitted of all charges in a landmark corruption and economic sabotage trial.
The verdict, delivered Friday at Criminal Court “C”, Temple of Justice, brought an end to months of legal and political tension surrounding allegations that Tweah and several former officials illegally handled over US$6.2 million and L$1 billion in government funds allegedly linked to national security operations.
Following the ruling, Tweah walked out of court a free man after the court found that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts.
The case involved several former officials of the administration of former President George Weah: Nyenati Tuan, Moses Cooper, Stanley Ford, and Jefferson Karmoh, who faced multiple charges ranging from economic sabotage to misuse of public money.
Former Finance Minister Tweah and former FIA Comptroller, D. Moses P. Cooper, were cleared of all charges, including economic sabotage, theft of property, and money laundering. Former National Security Advisor, Jefferson Karmoh, was acquitted of major charges but found guilty of criminal conspiracy and criminal facilitation. However, former Acting Justice Minister, Nyanti Tuan, and former FIA Director General, Stanley S. Ford, were convicted on select counts.
The prosecution had argued that the defendants orchestrated unauthorized transfers from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) into accounts linked to the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), claiming the transactions violated Liberia’s public financial management and anti-corruption laws.
Prosecutors further alleged that the funds lacked proper documentation and legislative approval.
However, the defense consistently maintained that the money was used for national security purposes during the final years of the CDC-led government, and therefore fell within the scope of Executive security operations.
The trial gained national attention earlier this year after the Supreme Court ruled that, while the President enjoys Constitutional immunity for official acts, such protection does not automatically extend to appointed officials. That decision paved the way for Criminal Court “C” to resume full jurisdiction over the matter after weeks of legal wrangling over immunity claims.
Throughout the proceedings, the courtroom witnessed fierce legal exchanges between state prosecutors and defense lawyers, with the government insisting it possessed evidence of unlawful withdrawals and the defense arguing that the prosecution was politically motivated and failed to establish criminal intent.
Friday’s acquittal has triggered mixed reaction across the political and legal landscape. Supporters of Tweah and the former CDC administration have described the verdict as a victory for justice and due process, while proponents of UP-led government are claiming that Tweah is not yet completely free, arguing that if those found guilty take an appeal to the Supreme Court the entire file would have to be reviewed, bringing in all the defendants, including Tweah.
The ruling also marks a significant moment in Liberia’s evolving jurisprudence on accountability, Executive authority, and the handling of national security expenditures.
As the former finance minister exited the Temple of Justice surrounded by supporters and sympathizers, chants of celebration echoed through the court premises, signaling the political weight the case carried far beyond the courtroom.
