MONROVIA, Liberia – The Supreme Court of Liberia has denied a writ of prohibition filed by former government officials, including Samuel D. Tweah, former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, and other senior officials, in a major case involving alleged financial misconduct.
The petitioners had sought to halt proceedings in the First Judicial Circuit Criminal Assizes “C” for Montserrado County, following the lower court’s rejection of their motion to dismiss charges. The Supreme Court had previously issued a stay on March 20, 2025, pending review of constitutional and legal questions raised by the defense.
The case centers on allegations by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Ministry of Justice that Tweah, alongside former Acting Justice Minister Nyenati Tuan, former Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) Director Stanley S. Ford, former FIA Comptroller Moses Cooper, and former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh, orchestrated unauthorized transfers totaling L$1,055,152,540 and US$500,000 from the Central Bank of Liberia to FIA-operated accounts. Prosecutors claim the funds remain unaccounted for and characterize the transfers as economic sabotage, money laundering, theft of property, and misuse of public funds.
The defense argued that the transfers were part of classified national security operations, authorized by the National Security Council (NSC) under the National Security Reform and Intelligence Act of 2011, and that the officials acted under the direction of former President George M. Weah. Prosecutors, however, maintained that constitutional immunity under Article 61 of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution applies only to the President and does not extend to ministers or council members.
In its judgment, the Supreme Court emphasized that statutory immunity applies only to those expressly named or co-opted by law or the President, and that any claim of immunity by other executive officials is illegal. The Court also clarified that ex-parte applications may be made under civil and criminal procedure laws without notice to the opposing party.
Consequently, the Supreme Court denied the petition, quashed the alternative writ, and remanded the case to the lower court to resume jurisdiction and proceed with the trial in accordance with the law. Costs were not awarded.
The ruling was signed by Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbejsay Sr., and Associate Justices Yussif D. Kaba and Boakai N. Kanneh. Justices Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie and Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson recused themselves due to family ties and prior involvement in the case.
This decision marks a significant ruling on executive immunity, the limits of statutory authority, and the enforcement of financial misconduct laws at the highest levels of government in Liberia.
