Supreme Court Halts Case Against Former Finance Minister Amid Controversy Over Bond
Supreme Court Halts Case Against Former Finance Minister Amid Controversy Over Bond
MONROVIA, Dec. 5 (LINA) – The Supreme Court of Liberia has temporarily halted proceedings in the high-profile corruption case involving former Finance Minister, Samuel D. Tweah Jr. and four other officials of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government.
The stay order, issued Tuesday, December 3, 2024, follows a request from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for judicial review of issues surrounding a controversial US$8 million property valuation bond.
The bond, approved by Judge Blamo Dixon, was intended to prevent the incarceration of one of the accused, Samuel D. Tweah Jr., but has since sparked legal challenges.
In response to the ministry’s petition for a writ of certiorari, Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay ordered an immediate suspension of all proceedings in the case pending a conference scheduled for December 10, 2024, adding that the conference will address the MoJ's concerns about the bond approval and other procedural matters raised in the petition.
At the heart of the controversy is the US$8 million bond, which government prosecutors argue was improperly granted.
The MoJ’s petition emphasizes the need for clarity and accountability in handling such a significant financial safeguard in a case involving economic sabotage allegations.
Certiorari, a judicial process used to review decisions by lower courts or government agencies, was invoked by the Ministry of Justice to challenge Judge Dixon’s ruling.
In the writ, the Ministry of Justice urged the Supreme Court to halt proceedings until the legal and procedural issues surrounding the bond are fully addressed.
"You are ordered to stay all further proceedings and/or actions in the matter pending the outcome of a conference on Tuesday, December 10, 2024,” Justice Gbeisay’s written communication stated.
The case, which centers on accusations of corruption and economic sabotage, has drawn significant public attention, raising broader concerns about governance, transparency, and the rule of law in Liberia.
The temporary pause adds another layer of complexity, underscoring the challenges faced by Liberia’s justice system in handling high-stakes cases involving prominent political figures.
Observers anticipate that the upcoming conference will provide critical insights into the judiciary's stance on issues of accountability and the integrity of legal processes in corruption cases.
