Monrovia, Liberia – A strongly worded opinion by Justice Actor Moses S. Ben has intensified public debate over accountability and adherence to the rule of law in the ongoing case involving former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah at Criminal Court “C.”
In his commentary titled “A Question of Conscience: Why the Law Cannot Bend for Samuel Tweah,” Ben argues that the case has moved beyond procedural arguments and now represents a critical test of Liberia’s legal integrity and institutional accountability.
At issue is a controversial US$6.2 million transaction reportedly executed for “security purposes.” According to Ben, testimony from senior government officials responsible for national security and financial oversight has raised serious concerns, as several reportedly denied any knowledge of the transaction.
“This denial is not a minor contradiction, warning that it undermines the justification used to defend the disbursement,” Ben asserted.
According to him, the situation was further complicated by testimony from Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Finance, Tanneh G. Brunson, who indicated that the transaction allegedly bypassed established budgetary processes.
Also, Ben emphasized that Liberia’s public financial management system is built on strict rules requiring documentation and transparency, principles he said appear to have been ignored in this instance.
While the defense has argued that there is no evidence of personal enrichment, the Justice Actor dismissed that position as insufficient. He maintained that violations of financial procedures alone could constitute an offense, regardless of whether personal gain is proven.
“The law does not only punish theft, it punishes the abuse of process,” he wrote.
Moreover, Ben also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in Tweah’s defense, particularly regarding reliance on the Public Financial Management Law while offering shifting explanations about procedural requirements.
“The law does not bend to convenience, urging both the judiciary and the public to view the case as a defining moment for Liberia’s governance framework,” he added.
The case continues to draw significant public attention, with many observers viewing it as a litmus test for the country’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and equal application of the law.
Reported by: Prince Saah
