-Over allegations of economic sabotage and misuse of public funds
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia –The Monrovia City Court has issued arrest warrants for five former high-ranking officials of the Liberian government, including Samuel D. Tweah, the former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, and Clr. Nyenati Tuan, the former Acting Minister of Justice. The charges stem from allegations of economic sabotage and misuse of public funds, among other serious offenses.
The arrest warrants were issued following a formal complaint lodged by the Republic of Liberia, represented by the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). The defendants are accused of orchestrating a complex scheme to defraud the government, which allegedly took place in July 2023.
According to court documents, the defendants conspired to include Stanley S. Ford, the former Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), as a member of the National Security Council of Liberia, in violation of the National Security Act. Subsequently, in September 2023, they allegedly engaged in unauthorized and illegal activities under the guise of their official duties, resulting in the theft and misappropriation of substantial amounts of money from the Central Bank of Liberia.
The total amount allegedly stolen includes L$1,055,152,540.00 and US$5,000,000.00, which were reportedly transferred to the FIA’s operational accounts. Investigators claim that these funds were withdrawn almost immediately after the transfers, indicating a well-coordinated effort to siphon off public resources for personal gain.
The charges against the former officials include economic sabotage, theft, illegal disbursement and expenditure of public money, criminal facilitation, and conspiracy. The court has ordered the arresting officer, Captain Charles Bloyuefloh of the Magistrate Police, to bring the defendants to the Monrovia City Court to answer to these grave allegations.
Recently, ex-officials of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government, including Samuel Tweh, former Finance Minister; Bill T. Twehway, Senator of River Cess County; Wilhelmina Jallah, former Health Minister; and Mr. Trokon Williams, have been summoned by the Liberia National Police (LNP) for questioning into the mysterious death of Emmanuel Barthan Nyeswa, the former Director General of the Internal Audit Agency.
The ex-officials summoned are being asked to provide any relevant information that may assist in the ongoing investigation into Nyeswa’s death. Emmanuel Barthan Nyeswa was found dead at his residence on 72nd Boulevard on October 10, 2020, following the deaths of three other auditors in Monrovia within a span of eight days. The circumstances surrounding these deaths remain unclear, prompting the LNP to delve deeper into the matter.
