By Yassah J. Wright
Solicitor General Augustine Fayiah, has expressed confidence in a swift resolution to convict Samuel Tweah and co-defendants.
While clearing the way for Tweah and others’ trial proceedings, Fayiah voiced confidence in government’s position.
He told the court that prosecution was ready to proceed and anticipates an expeditious (quick) trial, “because the accused persons had admitted to taking the money.”
Fayiah predicted that the matter could become one of the shortest trials currently on court’s docket, signaling that the state intends to move aggressively.
The case traces back to investigations launched amid mounting public scrutiny over off-budget spending, and alleged irregular withdrawals from government accounts during the final years of the former administration.
Samuel Tweah, Nyenati Tuan, Moses Cooper, Stanley Ford, and Jefferson Karmoh, have since been indicted for allegedly stealing US$6 million and L$1 billion.
Lawyer for the accused, Arthur Johnson, has since justified that the said amount used by his clients borders on national security matters, and as such, they are immune from prosecution.
To that admission, Supreme Court clarified that presidential immunity does not extend to other government officials except the president.
This is being interpreted as guilt for the defendants.
This case stems from allegations that the officials orchestrated a systematic plundering of public resources, violating Anti-Money Laundering and Economic Crimes statutes.
The mandate, transmitted through Criminal Court ‘C’ on Tuesday, February 24, clears a legal obstacle that had temporarily stalled proceedings in the closely watched alleged corruption-related prosecutions.
At the heart of the case are allegations surrounding the handling and disbursement of public funds reportedly earmarked for national security purposes during the previous administration.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendants authorized and managed financial transactions in ways inconsistent with public financial management laws, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the use of state resources.
From the onset, defense lawyers mounted a constitutional challenge, arguing that the expenditures in question were tied to national security, and therefore, the accused were shielded from criminal scrutiny.
state prosecutors subsequently compiled findings that led to formal charges being filed against Tweah and his co-defendants.
Since the indictment, the proceedings have drawn intense public and political interest, with governance advocates framing the trial as a litmus test for anti-corruption resolve, while supporters of the defendants have characterized the prosecution as “politically motivated.”
Prosecution has since made a detailed case highlighting the incidence of fraud.
Initially, the prosecution claims the defendants illegally transferred funds into the Financial Intelligent Agency’s (FIA) operational accounts (USD and LRD), which cannot be accounted for.
The indictment claims that, between September 8 and 21, 2023, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBLL), transferred a total of L$1,055,152,540 (about US$5.6 million, at an exchange rate of L$190) into the operational accounts of the FIA, upon the instruction of Tweah.
Tweah was the then Minister of Finance under the George Weah regime (2018-2024).
Prosecution presented as evidence transfer instructions from the Ministry of Finance, which the CBL submitted to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
On September 22, 2023, the CBL management transferred US$500,000 into the FIA’s USD operational account (A/C #:1502021605) upon the Tweah’s instruction.
Prosecution entered the bank statement of said account into evidence.
That same day, D. Moses P. Cooper, then FIA’s Acting Financial Comptroller withdrew the US$500,000 from the CBL account.
But the cash is no more notable than the paper trail or lack thereof.
The investigation did not establish any proof of documentary evidence from the National Security Council, the National Joint Security, or the FIA authorizing Tweah to approve and effect the transfer of the above-mentioned amounts to the FIA account.