Liberians Unanimous for former Finance Minister Tweah, Others’ Prosecution

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ADNew-Monrovia, Liberia: Days following the Supreme Court of Liberia recent decision/opinion that denied the request of a writ of prohibition filed by former government officials, including Samuel D. Tweah, former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, and other officials, in connection with a high-profile financial misconduct case currently before Criminal Court ‘C’ and based on journalists’ investigation of what that has been described as a troubling attempt by associates of former President George Manneh Weah to allegedly fabricate a backdated “presidential immunity” letter to support the act allegedly carried out by Tweah and others, many Liberians yesterday, Tuesday December 30, 2025, spoke unanimously for the government of Liberia to prosecute the defendants and also thrash out any ‘fake evidence’ that is being contemplated for submission to the Criminal Court ‘C’ when the case resumes preferably during the 2026 February Term of Court.

Former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah, alongside Cllr. Nyanti Tuan (former Acting Minister of Justice), Stanley S. Ford (former Director General of Financial Intelligence Agency), D. Moses P. Cooper (former Financial Intelligence Agency Comptroller), and Jefferson Karmoh (former National Security Advisor to President George Weah), were indicted by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) on charges of Economic Sabotage, Theft, Illegal Disbursement and Expenditure of Public Funds, Criminal Conspiracy, Misuse of Public Money, and Criminal Facilitation.

The indictment alleges that the defendants violated the Financial Intelligence Agency Act of 2022 by conspiring to transfer US$500,000 and L$1,055,152,540 from the Central Bank of Liberia through the operational account of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).

During the hearing of the case at the Criminal Court ‘C’, the defendants’ Defense Counsel took flight to the Supreme Court of Liberia and filed a Writ of Prohibition for the dismissal of the charges and case on grounds that their action to transfer US$500,000 and L$1,055,152,540 from the Central Bank of Liberia through the operational account of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) was purely for national security and had presidential backing despite not presenting any documents to substantiate their claims.

Earlier, assigned Judge Roosevelt Willie of the Criminal Court ‘C’ had denied a motion to dismiss the high-profile corruption case involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and four other co-defendants. The court ruled at the time that the case must proceed, rejecting the defense’s argument that the court lacks jurisdiction.

In his ruling, Judge Willie emphasized that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), through the Ministry of Justice, alleged that the defendants acted outside the privileges afforded to agents of the President under Article 61 of the 1986 Constitution. As a result, they cannot claim immunity and must stand trial.

Court Rejects National Security Immunity Argument

One of the key arguments raised by the defense was that the defendants, as members of the National Security Reform Intelligence (NSRI), were immune from prosecution for financial transactions. However, Judge Willie dismissed this claim, stating that the NSRI Act itself contains provisions requiring financial accountability.

Citing Section 7(c) of the NSRI Act, the judge pointed out that the law explicitly states, “This provision does not exempt (NSRI members) from legally mandated accountings within the Government of Liberia.” He further clarified that while NSRI members may handle classified funds, any financial transactions outside of vital national security interests are subject to legal scrutiny.

Judge Willie also referenced Section 11(d) of the NSRI Act, which states that funds allocated to the NSRI may only be exempt from financial regulations if used strictly for national security purposes. He noted that the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) Act of 2022 provides additional legal boundaries, stating that officials cannot claim immunity in cases of gross negligence, corruption, or intentional wrongdoing.

“We therefore wonder, how come the Defendants/Movants are relying on this same Act and saying that they are immune to all actions—especially financial transactions—even when there are warnings in both Acts (NSRI and FIA) against such conduct?” Judge Willie questioned.

Presidential Immunity Claim Rejected

The court also rejected the defense’s attempt to invoke presidential immunity under Article 61 of the Constitution. The defendants argued that since former President George Manneh Weah chaired the NSRI and they acted under his directives, they should be immune from prosecution.

However, Judge Willie ruled that Article 61 only grants immunity to the President during his tenure and does not extend blanket protection to officials acting under his authority. He added that even the President is subject to prosecution upon leaving office if he is accused of criminal acts.

“The President shall be immune from any suits, actions, or proceedings, judicial or otherwise… However, the President shall not be immune from prosecution upon removal from office for the commission of any criminal act,” Judge Willie said as he quoted from the Constitution.

Alleged Illegal Transfer of Funds

According to the indictment, between September 8 and 21, 2023, former Finance Minister Tweah allegedly authorized the transfer of L$1,055,152,540 and US$500,000 to the operational accounts of the FIA without proper authorization. The prosecution contends that the transfers were not requested by the National Security Council, the National Joint Security, or the FIA itself.

The indictment further alleges that Tweah conspired with then-Acting Justice Minister Nyenati Tuan to facilitate the transfer, which remains unaccounted for.

Trial to Proceed Pending Possible Appeal

With the motion to dismiss denied, the prosecution was set to present its case. However, the defense excepted to the ruling, signaling a possible appeal to the Supreme Court. The Defense later appealed to the Supreme Court and after a lengthy spell in legal arguments at the High Court, a decision was made to deny Tweah and others the writ of prohibition that they had filed to dismiss the case on claims of presidential immunity covered their action to withdraw the said monies from the Central Bank of Liberia.

Supreme Court Denies Writ of Prohibition in High-Profile Financial Misconduct Case

And so, the Supreme Court of Liberia in mid December 2025, denied a writ of prohibition filed by former government officials, including Samuel D. Tweah, former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, and other senior officials, in a major case involving alleged financial misconduct.

The petitioners had sought to halt proceedings in the First Judicial Circuit Criminal Assizes ‘C’ for Montserrado County, following the lower court’s rejection of their motion to dismiss charges. The Supreme Court had previously issued a stay on March 20, 2025, pending review of constitutional and legal questions raised by the defense.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court emphasized that statutory immunity applies only to those expressly named or co-opted by law or the President, and that any claim of immunity by other executive officials is illegal. The Court also clarified that ex-parte applications may be made under civil and criminal procedure laws without notice to the opposing party.

Consequently, the Supreme Court denied the petition, quashed the alternative writ, and remanded the case to the lower court to resume jurisdiction and proceed with the trial in accordance with the law. Costs were not awarded.

The ruling was signed by Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, and Associate Justices Yussif D. Kaba and Boakai N. Kanneh. Justices Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie and Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson recused themselves due to family ties and prior involvement in the case.

This decision marks a significant ruling on executive immunity, the limits of statutory authority, and the enforcement of financial misconduct laws at the highest levels of government in Liberia.

Liberians Unanimous for former Finance Minister Tweah, Others’ Prosecution

In support of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the previous decision of the Criminal Court ‘C’, Liberians unanimously while participating on a local radio talk show on SKY FM 107.1 famous 50-50 program called on the justice system to proceed holistically with the case by ensuring that those (Tweah and others) who allegedly committed the act of transferring L$1,055,152,540 and US$500,000 from the Central Bank of Liberia, between September 8 and 21, 2023, to the operational accounts of the FIA without proper authorization should account for their deeds.

In one accord most callers on the show detested the alleged plan to forge a purported ‘presidential immunity’ letter with the sole intent to back the action of Tweah and others when they transferred the monies. “The fact that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) did not find any ‘presidential immunity’ letter that authorized Tweah and others to transfer the monies during investigation, coupled with the fact that the indictees admitted in open court of

that they acted with presidential immunity covering them when they withdrew the monies from the Central Bank of Liberis, it only shows indeed that the alleged criminal act was committed but the defendants were hoping that presidential immunity would cover them. Since the Supreme Court has back the decision of the Criminal Court ‘C’, Tweah and his fellow indictees must the weight of the law,” the callers said.

Central to the controversy is the fact that the defendants have already acknowledged in open court that the disputed withdrawals from the Central Bank of Liberia were executed under claims of national security and presidential authority. But legal analysts say this admission has significantly weakened their defense, as it establishes direct involvement in the transactions now under scrutiny, therefore the callers urged the Liberian government not to relent but must proceed speedily with the case to set an example on those who will be bent on committing acts inimical to the laws of Liberia when they are in public offices.

“We are hearing that the alleged strategy, according to sources, is to retroactively legitimize those actions by producing a document that would suggest formal authorization from former President Weah—despite the absence of such documentation during the original transactions. “They also intent to manoeuvre their way to push for a retrial: this means for the case to begin at fresh. In that way, they can now present this new evidence, which will be that fake letter. We want the government to be vigilant when the case resumes at the Criminal Court ‘C’ and ensure that such a fake letter does not surface in open court,” the callers averred.

 

Meanwhile, ass the proceedings continue, public interest remains intense. The case is widely seen as a defining test of accountability, executive authority, and the rule of law in Liberia.

Whether the defense will attempt to rely on such a disputed document—and how the court would respond—remains to be seen. What is certain is that Liberians will be watching closely as one of the most consequential financial misconduct cases in the country’s recent history moves forward.