Liberian Ex-Minister Denounces Government Indictment as “Total Witch Hunt”

In a strongly worded statement, former Liberian Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel Tweah, has described the government’s indictment against him as a “total witch hunt.” Tweah, along with several former top officials of the Weah-Taylor administration, was indicted on Monday on charges of economic sabotage, theft, and illegal disbursement of funds.

The indictment has led to the imprisonment of three of Tweah’s co-defendants, including former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh, former Solicitor General Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, and ex-Comptroller of the Financial Intelligence Unit (now FIA) D. Moses P. Cooper. Tweah, who is reportedly out of the country in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire, has not been arrested.

In a Facebook post, Tweah accused the government of launching a political witch hunt against him and his former colleagues. He claimed that he has been a major political target for the past six years, facing “falsely devilish accusations” aimed at besmirching his reputation and derailing his political institution.

Tweah also pointed out that the ruling Unity Party is facing massive allegations of ongoing corruption, including a recent controversy surrounding a US$8 million payment from the Central Bank of Liberia to SIB Bank, which funded the UP campaign. He accused the government of turning a blind eye to audit reports detailing the gutting of the Liberian Treasury under its 12-year rule.

Despite the indictment, Tweah remains defiant, vowing to vindicate himself in court. “Working with my lawyers and others, I stand ready to defeat this witch-hunt and vindicate my reputation through the justice system,” he said. “In the end, I will emerge stronger and my enemies will be put to shame!”