Monrovia-Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice has resumed jurisdiction over the high-profile criminal case involving former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah and four other defendants, following the formal reading of a mandate from the Supreme Court of Liberia.
The mandate, transmitted through Criminal Court “C” on Tuesday, February 24, clears a legal obstacle that had temporarily stalled proceedings in one of the country’s closely watched alleged corruption-related prosecutions.
At the heart of the case are allegations surrounding the handling and disbursement of public funds reportedly earmarked for national security purposes during the previous administration.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendants authorized and managed financial transactions in ways inconsistent with Liberia’s public financial management laws, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the use of state resources.
From the onset, defense lawyers mounted a constitutional challenge, arguing that the expenditures in question were tied to national security and therefore shielded from criminal scrutiny.
They further contended that actions undertaken within the scope of official executive authority should not expose former officials to prosecution.
The legal standoff escalated to the Supreme Court of Liberia, which was asked to determine whether presidential immunity could be extended, directly or indirectly, to other government officials acting under executive instruction.
In its ruling, the high court drew a sharp constitutional line, that while the President of Liberia enjoys immunity for official acts while in office, that protection does not extend to cabinet ministers or other appointed officials.
The Court reaffirmed that public servants, past or present, remain individually accountable under the law for their actions, regardless of the nature of the assignment.
The decision dismantled the defense’s immunity argument and restored full jurisdiction to Criminal Court “C,” which now resumes control of the case.
Following the reading of the mandate, Solicitor General Augustine Fayiah expressed confidence in the government’s position, telling the court that the prosecution stands ready to proceed and anticipates an expeditious trial.
He predicted that the matter could become one of the shortest trials currently pending on the court’s docket, signaling that the state intends to move aggressively.
The case traces back to investigations launched amid mounting public scrutiny over off-budget spending and alleged irregular withdrawals from government accounts during the final years of the former administration.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and state prosecutors subsequently compiled findings that led to formal charges being filed against Samuel D. Tweah and his co-defendants.
Since the indictment, the proceedings have drawn intense public and political interest, with governance advocates framing the trial as a litmus test for Liberia’s anti-corruption resolve, while supporters of the defendants have characterized the prosecution as politically motivated.
Now, with jurisdiction firmly restored, Criminal Court “C” is expected to proceed with pre-trial conferences, evidentiary disclosures, and the formal setting of a trial date.
Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s clarification could have far-reaching implications beyond this single case, potentially shaping how future administrations interpret executive authority, financial discretion, and constitutional immunity.
For a nation-long wrestling with issues of public sector accountability, the reopening of Tweah and others trial marks more than a procedural reset, it represents a defining moment in Liberia’s evolving jurisprudence on the limits of power and the reach of the law.
