MONROVIA — The Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force (AREPT) has issued an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the departure of former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. from a scheduled investigative appearance connected to an ongoing probe into the alleged misapplication of more than US$20.5 million in rice subsidy funds.
In a statement released Thursday, May 21, 2026, AREPT confirmed that former Minister Tweah appeared at the Task Force headquarters in Paynesville in response to an invitation linked to investigations surrounding the implementation of a government rice subsidy program between September 2021 and October 2022.
According to the Task Force, the investigation centers on allegations of theft of property, economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted public funds, criminal conspiracy, and criminal facilitation tied to payments reportedly processed through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning during the administration of former President George Weah.
The controversial subsidy initiative was introduced at the height of rising global food prices and increasing economic hardship, with the government at the time seeking to stabilize the market price of rice — Liberia’s staple food commodity.
Investigators now allege that despite approximately US$20.5 million being committed to the subsidy exercise, the intervention failed to significantly reduce rice prices nationwide, raising concerns that public funds may have been diverted or improperly utilized.
AREPT stated that Tweah’s appearance followed an earlier request from his legal counsel seeking the rescheduling of his original appearance date, which the Task Force said it accommodated in keeping with due process and institutional cooperation.
However, the Task Force disclosed that upon arriving at AREPT headquarters on Thursday, lawyers representing the former minister later informed investigators that they were departing the premises over concerns relating to procedural arrangements at the compound.
While the statement did not elaborate on the exact nature of those concerns, AREPT emphasized that the institution maintains standard administrative procedures and protocols that apply equally to all individuals invited for questioning, regardless of status or former office held.
“These procedures are intended to ensure order, professionalism, fairness, and due process throughout the conduct of investigations,” the statement noted.
AREPT further stressed that its invitation process is “not confrontational in nature,” but rather forms part of lawful investigative procedures designed to provide individuals with an opportunity to respond to matters under review.
The Task Force disclosed that a subsequent invitation will be issued to former Minister Tweah to continue the investigative process.
“The Taskforce remains committed to conducting all investigations professionally, lawfully, and in accordance with Executive Order #161 and the laws of the Republic of Liberia,” the statement added.
The latest development comes amid mounting political tensions surrounding the investigation, which was launched just days after Tweah’s acquittal in the widely publicized US$6.2 million economic sabotage case involving the alleged misuse of funds from the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).
The timing of the new probe has fueled accusations from opposition figures and supporters of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), who argue that the investigation is politically motivated.
Tweah himself has publicly dismissed the investigation as a “bogus” and politically driven exercise intended to target former officials of the Weah administration.
The former finance minister has maintained that the rice subsidy payments were lawfully approved by the presidency, the National Legislature, and implemented in consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
AREPT, however, insists the investigation forms part of the government’s broader anti-corruption and asset recovery campaign established under Executive Order #161 issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The Task Force maintains that all persons connected to ongoing investigations will be treated fairly and accorded full due process under Liberian law.
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