Monrovia — Samuel D. Tweah Jr., former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, has publicly declared his innocence and resilience amid charges of economic sabotage, fraud, and criminal conspiracy. Tweah returned to Liberia on Tuesday to face his accusers, challenging what he perceives as a political witch-hunt orchestrated by the current administration.
“Yesterday, September 25, 2024, will go down in the annals of Liberian jurisprudence as one of the finest days in the administration of independent and transparent justice,” Tweah posted on Facebook. He expressed relief and gratitude following a court decision that rebuffed government attempts to detain him without bail.
He stated, “As fearless as I am and knowing I am innocent of the bogus charges, I took in all the advice but countered that there was no way or no chance that I would not return to Liberia, even at the cost of my unjust and politically-motivated imprisonment. Who and what would I be if I fled from my country? I had left Liberia since January 23, 2024, and was in no way a fugitive from justice. After the politically manipulated indictment, I had to ensure I returned under the correct legal circumstances!”
Tweah was granted an $8 million bail by Criminal Court ‘C’ on Wednesday morning when he surrendered himself to the court. His trial is scheduled for November 12. He, along with former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh and ex-Solicitor General Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, is accused of diverting substantial funds from the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) meant for national security and financial oversight.
The accusations, investigated by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), allege that more than L$1 billion and US$500,000 were illicitly transferred under the former finance minister’s authorization without proper approvals from Liberia’s National Joint Security or the National Security Council. Court documents reveal that these funds were rapidly withdrawn by D. Moses P. Cooper, then Acting Financial Controller of the FIA.
However, the former finance minister stated that he remains optimistic about his role and treatment in the legal system, asserting that the judicial system has upheld his rights to bail under Liberian law. “I knew I could somewhat trust our judiciary system: I didn’t know it was going to be this overwhelming!” he shared, moved by the outpouring of support from family, friends, and supporters who believe in his innocence.
He stated: “Let me express thanks to the thousands who have been saying their prayers for me and showing me their support. To my darling prayer warrior wife and her legions of pastors, to family, friends, partisans, colleagues, supporters, and well-wishers I am profoundly grateful.”
Further in his Facebook post, Tweah criticized those delighting in his potential downfall and reiterated his commitment to fighting for a fair and democratic Liberia. “To those who have been dying just to see me unjustly in handcuffs, let me say to you, you do not know, neither do you understand the democratic Liberia we now live in,” he stated.
In mid-August, the Minister of Information, Mr. Jerelinmek Piah, said during an appearance on the state broadcaster that the Liberian government had sought an Interpol Alert for the former Minister to be brought under the jurisdiction of the court.
Tweah left Liberia after the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) lost the November 14, 2023 runoff election. The Liberian Investigator gathered that he had since been residing in neighboring Ivory Coast, where he has his family.
“By the way, maybe you don’t know, an Interpol Alert has been issued for him,” the Information Minister disclosed on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, when he appeared on the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).
The Liberian Investigator, however, found this information to be untrue after searching Interpol’s website to ascertain whether the former minister had been listed as wanted.
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