MONROVIA – Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has accused Solicitor General Augustine Fayah of ordering the release of one of the three jurors recently freed in the high profile jury tampering case because she is allegedly his girlfriend, while demanding the immediate release of the remaining twelve jurors still being held at the Monrovia Central Prison.
Tweah made the allegations in a public statement following reports that the Ministry of Justice had ordered the release of three of the fifteen jurors who were imprisoned after Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika found evidence of jury misconduct in the corruption trial involving Tweah and several former government officials.
The three released jurors were the same individuals who initially alerted the court to alleged misconduct among members of the jury. According to court proceedings, they informed the court that some jurors had allegedly violated the court’s sequestration order by using mobile phones and maintaining outside contacts during deliberations.
Judge Feika’s investigation later concluded that jury tampering and misconduct had occurred, prompting the court to overturn the jury’s earlier not guilty verdict and order the imprisonment of all fifteen jurors pending further proceedings.
In a subsequent development, the Ministry of Justice reportedly directed the release of the three complaint jurors to enable investigators to proceed with the ongoing investigation into the alleged jury misconduct.
Reacting to the decision, Tweah alleged that Solicitor General Fayah ordered the release of one of the jurors because she is his girlfriend. He did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
“Solicitor General Augustine Fayah has released his girlfriend and two female jurors to prevent them from confessing the Government bribed them,” Tweah alleged.
He further claimed that the public had already heard one of the jurors admit guilt, although he did not provide additional evidence or identify any official proceeding in which such an admission was made.
Tweah also claimed that Criminal Court “C” did not authorize the release of the three jurors and alleged that the decision originated solely from the Ministry of Justice.
“Criminal Court C is saying they did not order the release of the three corrupt jurors, and that their release was ordered by the Ministry of Justice,” Tweah stated.
The former finance minister further called on the government to obtain and examine telephone records belonging to Solicitor General Fayah and the jury forewoman, alleging that they could reveal communications relevant to the case. He did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
Tweah also accused the government of applying selective justice by releasing only three jurors while keeping the remaining twelve in detention.
“We demand the Justice Minister to immediately release the 12 jurors and ask the international community to immediately intervene to save the destruction of our justice system,” he said.
Calling the remaining detained jurors “patriotic,” Tweah argued that they should also be freed if the three complaint jurors had been released.
“Free the 12 patriotic jurors if you have freed the corrupted ones. The nation needs to celebrate them,” he declared.
Tweah concluded his statement by insisting that he remains free despite the ongoing legal proceedings.
“Samuel Tweah remains a free man. Don’t hunt what you can’t kill!” he wrote.
The release of the three jurors followed the Ministry of Justice’s reported decision to free the complainants who initially brought the allegations of jury misconduct to the court’s attention. Their disclosures triggered the investigation that ultimately led Judge Feika to nullify the jury’s acquittal and order the imprisonment of all fifteen jurors.
The Ministry of Justice has not publicly responded to Tweah’s latest allegations, including his claims concerning Solicitor General Fayah or the circumstances surrounding the release of the three jurors.
The remaining twelve jurors continue to be held under the court’s detention order, while the jury tampering investigation remains ongoing.
