Former Liberian Finance Minister Faces Arrest Warrant in $500M Corruption Case

A warrant has been issued for Liberia’s former finance minister, Samuel Tweh, who is accused of involvement in a $500 million corruption scandal. Tweh, along with four other senior officials from former President George Weah’s administration, faces charges of embezzling government funds while in office. Tweh, who was previously sanctioned by the US for corruption, denounces the charges as a “politically motivated witch-hunt.”

The Weah administration, which ended in January, was marred by corruption and financial mismanagement allegations. President Joseph Boakai, who succeeded Weah, has pledged to address these issues. On Monday, the five former officials were indicted on charges including economic sabotage, illegal public fund disbursement, and criminal conspiracy. Monrovia’s City Court has issued arrest warrants for them.

Three of the indicted officials—former national security adviser Jefferson Karmoh, state prosecutor Nyenati Tuan, and Moses Cooper, the former head of the Finance Intelligence Agency (FIA)—are currently detained in Liberia’s central prison due to their inability to post bail. They and their legal representatives have yet to comment on the allegations. Tweh and former FIA chief Stanley Ford remain at large, with police uncertain of their whereabouts.

This is not the first time Tweh has faced corruption allegations; last December, the US sanctioned him and two senators for bribery. Tweh has denied these accusations and described the latest indictment as part of a broader political campaign against him. Since taking office, President Boakai has declared his assets and ordered an audit of the presidential office, though results have not yet been disclosed. He has also strengthened the General Auditing Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission in his efforts to combat corruption.