By Precious D. Freeman
The Supreme Court has issued a stay order on the high-profile economic sabotage trial involving defendant Samuel Tweah and four other ex-officials, temporarily halting proceedings pending a conference scheduled for March 10, 2025.
The decision follows the lower court’s rejection of a motion to dismiss, which the defense had filed, arguing that the defendants were protected under national security laws and executive immunity provisions.
The ruling has put jury selection on hold until further notice.
Prosecutors argue that the funds remain unaccounted for, pointing to financial misconduct at the highest levels of the former administration.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Ministry of Justice claim the transactions lacked transparency and bypassed standard financial oversight mechanisms.
The defense maintains that their clients acted under the direct authority of former President George M. Weah, who chaired the National Security Council (NSC).
They argue that the transactions were classified national security operations, shielding them from prosecution under the National Security Reform and Intelligence Act of 2011 and the FIA Act of 2022.
“The Movants were all members and agents of the National Security Council of Liberia responsible for carrying out the NSC’s functions. Their actions were strictly for national security purposes, and this court does not have jurisdiction to review such matters,” the defense asserted in its motion.
However, Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court ‘C’ rejected this argument, ruling that national security provisions do not grant a blanket exemption from financial accountability.
He cited explicit clauses in the NSRI Act that mandate financial oversight, stating, “This provision does not exempt NSRI members from legally mandated accounting within the Government of Liberia.”
Judge Willie also referenced Article 61 of the Liberian Constitution, clarifying that while a sitting President is immune from prosecution, appointed officials do not enjoy the same protection.
“The President shall be immune from any suits, actions, or proceedings, judicial or otherwise… However, the President shall not be immune from prosecution upon removal from office for the commission of any criminal act,” he stated.
The prosecution insists that this case is not about national security but about accountability. They argue that the transfers authorized by Tweah were not requested by the NSC, the National Joint Security, or the FIA itself—raising serious red flags.
“This is a matter of public funds being moved without legal authorization. The claim of national security is an attempt to evade scrutiny,” a prosecution source stated.
With the Supreme Court stepping in, the trial remains in limbo as legal arguments over national security, executive immunity, and financial oversight take center stage.
The upcoming conference on March 10 will determine whether the trial proceeds or faces further legal hurdles.
