MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The assigned circuit Judge at Criminal Court ‘C’ on Friday denied the motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction involving former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and four others.
Judge Roosevelt Willie, in his ruling, said:” The case cannot be dismissed based on the facts, circumstances and law cited above, and that Prosecution must be allowed to prove their case”, and ordered the case to proceed.
In his ruling, the investigation did not establish any proof of documentary evidence such as instruction from the National Security Council, or letter of request from the National Joint Security, or the FIA to defendant Samuel Tweh, for which he approved and subsequently ordered the transfer of the above-mentioned FIA accounts.
Samuel Tweh, in his discharge of his duties as Minister of Finance, knowing fully well that the amount of over one billion Liberian dollars was never requested for by the National Joint Security Council, and which was never authorized, but willingly conspired with Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, who was acting Justice Minister, thus causing the illegal transfer of US and Liberian Dollars to the operational accounts of Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).
The ruling further that on September 22, 2023, analysis of the bank statement of the FIA US operational account shows that CBL transferred the amount of US five hundred thousand as per the instruction from Samuel Tweh, and on the same day was withdrawn by Moses Cooper, acting financial Controller of the FIA.
Judge Willie, in his ruling, said:” Actions undertaken by members of the National Security Reform Intelligence do not exempt them from prosecution, except the President who is immune, according the Article 61 of the 1986 Constitution, and therefore they cannot enjoy the privilege for which they must answer, and the only place to answer is at Criminal Court ‘C’.
Despite taking an exception to the court’s ruling, the case has been assigned for hearing on Monday, March 3.
