By Precious D. Freeman
Former National Security Advisor, Jefferson Karmoh, has filed a motion for a separate and severance trial in the ongoing high-profile economic sabotage case at Criminal Court ‘C,’ distancing himself from former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and other co-defendants.
Karmoh, through his legal counsel, Mamee S. Gongbah, argues that the defendants’ alleged roles are distinct and should not be adjudicated together.
He maintains that a joint trial would unfairly prejudice his defense.
The case involves accusations that Tweah, Karmoh, and three other former officials orchestrated the unauthorized transfer of L$1,055,152,540 and US$500,000 from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to the Financial Intelligence Agency’s (FIA) operational accounts.
Prosecutors allege that the funds remain unaccounted for, while the defense claims the transactions were authorized for national security operations.
Karmoh’s motion cites Section 5.6 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, which allows courts to grant severance to avoid prejudice or ensure convenience.
Section 5.6 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law covers the transfer of criminal proceedings to another county.
Which means that the court can transfer proceedings to another county if the prosecuting attorney or defendant requests it.
The court can transfer proceedings if:
The county where the prosecution is pending is not one of the counties specified in sections 5.1–5.6.
There is a reason to believe that an impartial trial cannot be held in the county where the prosecution is pending.
All the parties agree and if the convenience of material witnesses and the end of justice will be promoted thereby.
“To further convenience or to avoid prejudice, a court may order severance of claims or issues. The court may order the trial of any claim or issue prior to the trial of other claims or issues,” the law states.
His lawyer contends that since each defendant’s role in the alleged crimes differs, trying them together could unfairly conflict their actions.
Karmoh and his co-defendants face multiple charges, including economic sabotage, fraud against the internal revenue of Liberia, misuse of public money, theft, money laundering, criminal facilitation, and conspiracy.
Prosecutors argue that these financial crimes occurred at the highest levels of the previous administration, bypassing financial oversight mechanisms.
The defense maintains that the transactions were classified national security matters, executed under the directive of then-President George Weah.
However, Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court ‘C’ previously ruled that national security laws do not provide blanket immunity from financial accountability.
Karmoh’s motion, if granted, could significantly alter the dynamics of the case by allowing him to be tried separately.
The court has yet to rule on his request, and the outcome could set a precedent for how co-defendants are treated in high-profile financial misconduct cases.
Meanwhile, the trial remains in limbo following a Supreme Court’s stay order, pending a conference scheduled for March 10, 2025, where key legal arguments will be addressed.
Legal analysts suggest that granting severance could weaken the prosecution’s case by requiring them to prove wrongdoing individually rather than collectively.
However, if denied, Karmoh will have to stand trial alongside his co-defendants, which could complicate his defense strategy.
