-As Criminal Court “C” Sets July 21 for Release of Jury Tampering Case Report of Samuel Tweah, Others
IPNEWS: Criminal Court “C” has scheduled today, July 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. to release the findings of its investigation into alleged jury tampering and juror misconduct in the economic sabotage case involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and other former officials.
Ahead of this Finding, Judge Ousman F. Feika issued the notice directing all parties and their lawyers to appear before the court. The investigation focuses on allegations that the jury process may have been improperly influenced during the ongoing corruption trial.
The defendants include Samuel D. Tweah, Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, Stanley S. Ford, D. Moses P. Cooper, and Jefferson Karmoh. They face charges including economic sabotage, theft of property, money laundering, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy. The probe was ordered after allegations of jury misconduct surfaced during the trial.
It may be recall, the Supreme Court, through Chambers Justice Yussif D. Kaba, directed that a fresh investigation be conducted. The inquiry involved jurors, lawyers for both sides, and other individuals considered relevant to the case.
The court’s findings could significantly affect the future of the corruption trial if jury misconduct is confirmed. If the allegations are not substantiated, the trial is expected to proceed under the existing legal process.
On the heels of this much anticipated findings, Former Minister of Finance and Development Planning Samuel D. Tweah Jr. has leveled explosive allegations against Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, accusing him of orchestrating an effort to overturn a jury verdict that acquitted him in his corruption case and warning that such action could undermine Liberia’s judicial independence.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, a day before a scheduled court ruling, Tweah alleged that Vice President Koung instructed Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousmane Feika to set aside the jury’s verdict on what he described as a fabricated claim of “jury misconduct.”
According to Tweah, Judge Feika has found no evidence linking either him or his legal team to any misconduct, making any attempt to overturn the acquittal legally unjustifiable.
The former finance minister further claimed that the government had spent the past month deeply divided over how to proceed with the case. He alleged that several senior government officials, along with some members of the Supreme Court, opposed efforts to reverse the jury’s decision, warning that doing so would set a dangerous legal precedent and severely damage public confidence in Liberia’s judicial system.
Tweah claimed those opposing the move argued that overturning a lawful acquittal would expose the government to accusations of selectively targeting political opponents while ignoring similar cases that ended in acquittals.
He further alleged that Vice President Koung dismissed those concerns, claiming that electoral considerations were more important than protecting the rule of law.
Tweah also asserted that information available to him indicates a final government decision was reached last Thursday following extensive internal discussions and what he described as a national security assessment.
Calling the jury’s verdict final and legitimate, Tweah praised the nine jurors who acquitted him, saying they demonstrated courage and patriotism by resisting what he alleged were enormous political pressures.
He recalled becoming emotional when the verdict was announced, saying he shed tears both inside the courtroom and later during a press conference because ordinary Liberians had upheld justice despite what he characterized as government interference.
The former minister maintained that Judge Feika’s only lawful responsibility is to issue his certificate of freedom. He warned that should the court order a retrial, he would refuse to participate, arguing that such proceedings would violate his constitutional rights.
”I am already a free man,” Tweah declared, insisting that no court should be permitted to overturn what he believes was a lawful verdict delivered by a jury of his peers.
Describing himself as the target of a politically motivated prosecution, Tweah accused the Boakai administration of attempting to weaponize the justice system against perceived political opponents.
He further warned that Liberia must not return to what he described as the era of executive domination over the courts, recalling periods in the country’s history when political leaders allegedly dictated judicial outcomes. He said Liberians had sacrificed greatly to establish a democratic system governed by the rule of law rather than political influence.
Tweah also challenged Judge Feika and Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh Gbeisay to resist any external pressure, arguing that the judiciary must remain independent regardless of political interests.
Concluding his statement, Tweah vowed to continue resisting what he called political persecution and announced that he would address the media following Tuesday’s court ruling.
It may be recalled, Former Liberian Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. and his co-defendants were acquitted and found not guilty of all charges. Criminal Court “C” in Monrovia delivered the verdict after the prosecution failed to prove allegations of economic sabotage and personal enrichment.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) indicted Samuel Tweah and four other former officials for economic sabotage, theft of property, and money laundering. The state alleged that over $6 million USD and L$1 billion were illegally funneled and withdrawn without authorization.
In early this year, the Supreme Court of Liberia rejected Tweah’s defense arguments regarding constitutional immunity, ruling that Article 61 protections apply only to a sitting president. The high court ordered the trial to proceed under the jurisdiction of Criminal Court “C”.
During the trial, the prosecution’s lead investigator admitted under cross-examination that there was no evidence of personal enrichment. The defense successfully argued that the transfers were legal instruments routed through standard government channels for national security operations.
The trial concluded with a jury acquittal. Local political figures and legal observers confirmed that the court found him not guilty.
Following the acquittal, Tweah’s legal team filed an emergency petition before the Supreme Court of Liberia. The defense requested a writ of prohibition to stop the executive branch from initiating a post-verdict investigation into alleged jury tampering. They asserted that the trial judge had already certified and recorded the final not-guilty verdict, making further state challenges a violation of the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s main opposition party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has announced democratic resistance, alleging attempts by the Boakai-Koung administration to undermine judicial independence following the acquittal of former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr..
The opposition party said the jury’s acquittal of Tweah is a lawful verdict that must be respected, accusing the government of seeking to overturn the decision.
The CDC alleged that Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and National Security Advisor Samuel Kofi Woods are attempting to influence the judiciary. It also claimed that Judge Ousmane Feika has faced intimidation over the case. The party did not provide evidence for the allegations.
The CDC said it views the case as part of a broader pattern of actions it believes threaten constitutional governance and judicial independence. It announced that it would oppose any actions it considers unconstitutional and said it would advise Tweah not to comply with any process it considers unlawful.
The party called on the judiciary, civil society, religious institutions, international partners, and citizens to defend judicial independence, constitutional governance, and the rule of law.
The government had not publicly responded to the CDC’s allegations at the time the statement was issued.
