Indicted with several other former officials for alleged corruption, ex-Liberian Finance Minister Samuel Tweah filed a US$8 million bond through his lawyer and was released by the court pending trial.
By Kruah Thompson
Monrovia, Liberia, September 26, 2024—As a consequence of the delay in his arrest and indictment, the Resident Judge of Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice, A. Blamo Dixon, has accepted a US$8M bond filed by Cllr. Arthur Johnson, lead lawyer for former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, who is indicted here by the state along with other former officials for corruption.
The court has accordingly relieved him from the prisoner bench, pending his return to court on November 12, 2024, for a case hearing.
Tweah and five other former officials from ex-President Weah’s administration were charged by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission on July 30, 2024, with economic sabotage, money laundering, criminal facilitation, theft, illegal fund disbursement, criminal conspiracy, and misuse of public funds, among other offenses.
The former Finance Boss has challenged these charges, saying he is prepared to prove his innocence in court.
Shortly after the LACC wrapped up its investigation into the alleged corruption at the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), the Montserrado County grand jury, seated at Criminal Court ‘A’, claimed on September 22, 2023, that US$500,000 had been transferred to the FIA’s U.S. dollar operational account at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) under Tweah’s direction. On that same day, one Cooper withdrew the entire amount.
However, Mr. Tweah was not arrested due to his absence from the country, amid reports that the police were unsure of his exact whereabouts.
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Tweah voluntarily walked to the court with his team of lawyers and was served his indictment.
During the indictment, Tweah’s lead lawyer, Cllr Arthur Johnson, filed a bond of US$8M, setting him free until his return to court on November 12th.
Judge Dixon read the Liberian Constitution, quoting Article 6(c), indicating that the crime alleged against the former Finance Minister is a bailable offense. Therefore, he removed him from the criminal bench until his appearance in November.
“As a consequence of the delay in arrest and the indictment served on post-defendant Samuel D. Tweah under the jurisdiction of the court, the defendant is entitled to bail, as a matter of fact.” He stated that these are bailable offenses under Chapter 13 of the Liberian Constitution, particularly Section 13.1.
Based on these details, the Judge said he has a valid criminal bond to be presented before the court. For assurance, the defendant is informed and will continue to be informed for further appearances.
“Because the bond is supported by law, the counsel respectfully accepts the approval of the defendant’s bond.”
Meanwhile, the court has set former Minister Tweah free, noting that a copy of the bond will be served to the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.
Tweah served as minister of finance and development during the entire six years of the Weah Administration from 2018 to 2023, when Mr. Weah lost his bid for a second term. Editing by Jonathan Browne
