The Women Voices newspaper, on May 8, 2026, reported that a twelve-member jury acquitted former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and former Financial Intelligence Agency Controller Moses P. Cooper of all charges—including economic sabotage, theft of property, and money laundering—in a high-profile corruption case involving more than US$6.2 million. In addition, the paper revealed that Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, former Acting Minister of Justice, was found guilty of criminal facilitation and theft; Stanley Ford was found guilty of theft of property; and former Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh was found guilty of criminal facilitation but not guilty of economic sabotage and theft.
The paper further stated that the decision was reached after both the prosecution and defense concluded their presentations and final arguments. The court heard that major government transfers occurred in September 2023, including more than L$1.05 billion and US$500,000, moved from state accounts to the Financial Intelligence Agency on September 8, 19, and 21 of that year.
The paper also reported that during the trial, Baba Mohammed Boika of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission testified that investigators had verified financial movements involving large public funds. He added that the central question remained unanswered: which joint security agency actually received the money? He continued his testimony by noting that institutions consulted during the investigation denied receiving any of the contested funds.
The prosecution argued that the transactions lacked legislative approval and violated financial regulations. Boika further insisted that the transfers could not be justified without clear identification of beneficiaries, emphasizing that public funds must be fully accounted for under Liberia’s Public Financial Management (PFM) law, which provides criminal sanctions for misuse of state resources. Prosecutors also told the jury that national development priorities demand transparency, not secrecy, in handling public money.
In response, defense counsel Cllr. Arthur Johnson rejected the allegations, arguing that the transactions were lawful and executed under national security protocols. He told the court that the funds—estimated at US$6.4 million—were used for emergency security operations, citing regional tensions along the Guinea–Liberia border. Johnson maintained that security expenditures are inherently classified and not subject to ordinary public disclosure, and he challenged the prosecution’s demand for detailed records such as CCTV footage as inappropriate for covert operations.
The Presiding Judge of Criminal Court “C” reminded jurors to base their decisions strictly on the evidence and the law, warning them against sympathy or external influence.
source: https://www.womenvoicesnewspaper.org/tweah-acquitted-tuan-ford-karmoh-convicted/
