Samuel Tweah Jr.

Samuel Tweah Jr., the former Minister of Finance and Development Planning of Liberia, is the subject of a major ongoing corruption prosecution involving the alleged diversion of over US$6.2 million and L$1 billion in state funds during the administration of former President George Weah. The prosecution alleges that between September 8 and 21, 2023, Tweah authorized the illegal transfer of these funds from the Central Bank of Liberia to the Financial Intelligence Agency under the guise of national security, without proper documentation or authorization. He was charged with economic sabotage, theft of property, money laundering, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy. In May 2026, a jury acquitted Tweah and co-defendant Moses Cooper of all charges, citing insufficient evidence. However, on July 21, 2026, Criminal Court C Judge Ousman F. Feika vacated this acquittal, citing evidence of gross jury tampering, including unauthorized mobile phone use and contact with outsiders during sequestration. Judge Feika ordered the arrest of all 15 jurors and mandated a new trial. Tweah has publicly denied any involvement in jury misconduct, labeled the ruling politically motivated, and stated he will resist any retrial.