Monrovia – Former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. has hinted at a possible new corruption investigation against him, amid growing speculation that the government’s Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce is preparing to probe a controversial rice subsidy program implemented during the administration of former President George Weah.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Tweah disclosed the development in a strongly worded social media statement on Tuesday, revealing that his lawyer, Cllr. Arthur Tamba Johnson, informed him that the Chairman of the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce, Cllr. Kla Martin, had a letter intended for him.
According to Tweah, he immediately instructed his lawyer to receive the communication on his behalf.
“My lawyer, the decorated Cllr. Arthur Tamba Johnson, informed me yesterday that Cllr. Kla Martin of Asset Recovery says he has a letter for me,” Tweah wrote. “I asked him to call Kla back to receive the letter on my behalf. Kla said he would send letter today.”
The former finance minister, however, struck a defiant tone, suggesting that any impending investigation may be politically motivated.
“I, Samuel D. Tweah, Jr., would never kowtow to political intimidation and blackmail,” he declared, invoking the names of several historical figures and “250,000 martyrs” whom he said sacrificed for Liberia’s liberty.
Tweah further vowed to publicly release the letter once received and announced plans to personally respond to the task force. He also indicated that he intends to launch what he described as a “national discourse” on governance and development under the administration of President Joseph Boakai.
“On that same day, I would launch a national discourse at CIEO on the maladies of national development and democracy under President Joseph Boakai,” Tweah stated. “We would collectively reflect upon the reversal of gains made in the last 20 years since the end of war.”
The disclosure comes only days after Tweah was acquitted by jurors at Criminal Court “C” following a high-profile corruption trial that drew national attention. His acquittal was seen by supporters as a major legal and political victory.
Although authorities have yet to officially confirm the nature of the latest inquiry, multiple reports indicate that investigators are examining aspects of the rice subsidy scheme introduced by the previous administration to stabilize commodity prices amid rising economic pressures.
The Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce was established by the Boakai administration to investigate alleged acts of corruption, recover stolen public assets, and ensure accountability for misuse of state resources.
As political tensions continue to rise, Tweah’s latest remarks are expected to intensify debate over whether ongoing anti-corruption efforts are genuine accountability measures or politically charged pursuits targeting former officials of the Weah administration.
