Monrovia – What the Weah-Taylor administration failed to do upon taking over the mantle of leadership in 2018 is exactly what President Joseph Boakai is doing now. It was a rude awakening for many Liberians – especially those from both sides of the aisle (Unity Party and Coalition for Democratic Change) when several top former officials of the Weah-Taylor regime were indicted by the Monrovia City Court.
Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected] Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
The indicted officials include former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh, former Solicitor General Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, ex-Comptroller of the Financial Intelligence Unit (now FIA) D. Moses P. Cooper, and former Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) Stanley Ford.
Cllr. Tuan, Karmoh, and Cooper were imprisoned after failing to present a criminal appearance bond, as they could not afford the amount required for economic sabotage. Judge Ben Barcon denied their request for a personal recognizance bond, despite their prominence.
Tweah, another defendant, is reportedly out of the country, in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire. Writing on his Facebook page, he described the charges and subsequent arrest of his co-defendants as a “total witch hunt.”
Subsequently thereafter, at various times in September 2023, the Defendants, intentionally carrying out their diabolical scheme and conspiracy and under the pretense of discharging their duties as officials of the Joint Security of Liberia, unauthorizedly, criminally, willfully, illegally, knowingly, and maliciously, with the intent to defraud the government of Liberia, stole and converted to their use and benefit, and did conspire, collude, and made to be transferred, from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to the operational accounts of the FIA the amounts of L$l,055, 1 52,540.00 and US$5000,000.00.”
Writ of arrest, Monrovia City Court
The ex-government officials were issued a writ of arrest to face charges of economic sabotage, theft, illegal disbursement and expenditure of public money, theft of property, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy. These charges are based on a complaint from the government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
It is alleged that in an elaborate scheme to defraud the government of Liberia, the defendants conspired with Co-Defendant Stanley Ford in July 2023, making him a member of the National Security Council of Liberia in total violation of the National Security Act of Liberia. Subsequently, at various times in September 2023, the defendants allegedly executed their scheme, falsely presenting themselves as officials of the Joint Security of Liberia.
According to the writ of arrest, the defendants “in an elaborate scheme and conspiracy to defraud the Government of Liberia, in July 2023, conspired with Co-Defendant Stanley S. Ford and made him a member of the National Security Council of Liberia, in total violation and contravention of the National Security Act of Liberia.”
“Subsequently, at various times in September 2023, the defendants, in carrying out their diabolical scheme and conspiracy and under the false pretense of discharging their duties as officials of the Joint Security of Liberia, unauthorizedly, criminally, willfully, illegally, knowingly and maliciously, with the intent to defraud the Government of Liberia, stole and converted to their own use and benefit, and did conspire, collude and made to be transferred, from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to the operational accounts of the FIA the amounts of L$1,055,152,540.00 and US$500,000.00.”
These amounts were either withdrawn on the same day, according to court documents.
Cllr. Tuan and D. Moses Cooper were arrested on Monday, July 29, and brought to the Monrovia City Court. However, they failed to procure a criminal appearance bond, resulting in their transfer to prison.
Today, the Unity Party: facing massive allegations of ongoing corruption, including a UP GOVERNMENT-sanctioned CBL payment of US$8 million of Liberia reserve money to SIB bank which funded the UP campaign (read FPA story today); shamelessly turning a blind eye to mountains of audit reports detailing the gutting of the Liberian Treasury under its 12-year rule ; and experiencing very low public rating due to its six-month failures as a Government, has decided to politically witch-hunt me and former officials of the CDC.”
Samuel D. Tweah, Jr., former Minister of Finance and Development Planning.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants did not provide any indication or record of how the funds were disbursed or utilized by the Joint Security of Liberia. This omission is in total violation of the New Penal Law of Liberia.
The alleged actions of the defendants are described as unlawful, wicked, illegal, intentional, and in violation of the New Penal Law of Liberia.
Tweah’s Response
Tweah is reportedly out of the country. However, responding to the indictment, he said he is working with his lawyers and others to defeat this “witch-hunt and vindicate my reputation through the justice system.”
Fulfillment of Boakai’s Pledge?
The indictment and subsequent arrest of these former top Weah officials are viewed as a fulfillment of President Boakai’s pledge to fight corruption and restitute stolen government properties from “corrupt past officials.”
Throughout its six-year tenure, the Weah-Taylor administration faced severe criticism for alleged corruption. Officials were accused of amassing questionable wealth. President Weah and his officials constantly debunked these allegations, citing a lack of evidence.
Historically, the government of Liberia has not been successful in prosecuting officials accused of corruption, losing almost all the corruption cases taken to court. The onus is now on the LACC and the Ministry of Justice to provide substantive evidence to emerge victorious.
