Monrovia—A hearing regarding a motion filed by the prosecution against a US$8 million bond posted by former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and four co-defendants was halted on Wednesday, October 9, due to significant legal errors in the motion.
By: Willie N. Tokpah
The state’s motion, titled “Action to Justify Surety,” was contested by the defendants, including Tweah, former Security Advisor Jefferson Kamoh, former Solicitor General Nyanti Tuan, former Director General of the Financial Intelligence Unit Stanley Ford, and former Comptroller D. Moses P. S. Cooper, all of whom assert the bond’s legality.
Criminal Court “C” Judge Blamo Dixon declined to hear the exceptions to the defendants’ criminal appearance bonds and the motions for justification of sureties, citing procedural issues.
He noted that the case was not on the docket for the August Term of Court, as it had been transferred from the First Judicial Circuit Criminal Court on September 6, 2024, the same day a jury began its session.
Judge Dixon stated that both the prosecution and defense failed to file a motion to advance the case for the August Term, which had closed for business on September 31, 2024.
He emphasized that his term to preside over Criminal Court “C” had expired pending a new assignment from the Chief Justice.
The Judge further explained that the indictment, issued by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County on September 5, 2024, will be addressed in the upcoming November Term of Court, set to begin on November 11, 2024. Consequently, Judge Dixon deemed the prosecution’s motion “late and moot.”
He ordered the Clerk of Court to ensure the case is docketed for the November Term and to issue a notice for a hearing on November 12. The Judge also instructed the prosecution to disclose all evidence intended for use against the defendants by November 11.
Following the ruling, Tweah and his co-defendants left the courthouse in a relaxed manner but declined to comment to the media. They are facing serious charges, including economic sabotage, money laundering, and theft of public funds amounting to US$500,000.