This decision allows Criminal Court “C,” under Judge Blamo Dixon, to resume proceedings in a matter that has faced months of legal challenges and delays.
Monrovia-Associate Justice Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay has denied a writ of certiorari requested by state prosecutors in the economic sabotage case involving former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and four others.
By Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
This decision allows Criminal Court “C,” under Judge Blamo Dixon, to resume proceedings in a matter that has faced months of legal challenges and delays.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) had sought the writ to challenge the approval of an $8 million property valuation bond filed by the defendants, which prosecutors argued was insufficient to meet legal requirements.
Justice Gbeisay, however, found no compelling grounds to halt the trial, thus dismissing the government’s plea for intervention.
The legal battle stems from allegations of economic sabotage against Tweah and his co-defendants, with the government claiming mismanagement of public funds.
The Ministry of Justice’s request for certiorari was aimed at overturning Judge Dixon’s decision to accept the property valuation bond filed by Patrick Coleman on behalf of the defendants, which prevented their detention.
In his ruling, Justice Gbeisay emphasized the need for the trial to proceed by established judicial procedures.
His decision signals a rejection of delays that have plagued the case since the defendant’s indictment earlier this year.
The defense team, led by Cllr. Arthur Johnson, welcomed Justice Gbeisay’s ruling, describing it as a victory for due process.
Cllr. Johnson has since argued that the government’s case was based on weak evidence and procedural tactics designed to vilify his clients.
“This decision confirms what we have always maintained: the defendants are entitled to a fair trial without political interference,” Johnson stated. “The property bond meets all legal requirements, and the government’s argument was an unnecessary distraction.”
State prosecutors have faced criticism for their handling of the case, and that the MoJ’s approach has been marred by procedural missteps and a lack of substantive evidence. The rejection of the certiorari petition marks a setback for the government, which now faces pressure to present a compelling case in Criminal Court “C.”
Prosecutors have yet to indicate whether they will appeal Justice Gbeisay’s ruling to the full bench of the Supreme Court. The trial of Samuel Tweah and his co-defendants has drawn public attention, serving as a test of Liberia’s judicial and governance systems. With Justice Gbeisay’s decision, the case now returns to Criminal Court “C,” where Judge Blamo Dixon is expected to resume hearings.
Meanwhile, the ruling will or will not underscore the judiciary’s commitment to allowing the trial to proceed without unnecessary interference, providing both the prosecution and defense an opportunity to present their arguments in full.
