MONROVIA – Former National Security Adviser to ex-President George M. Weah, Jefferson Karmoh, has filed a motion before Criminal Court C requesting to be tried separately from his co-defendants in a major corruption case involving several former top government officials.
The motion, submitted on March 6, 2025, is currently under consideration by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie during the court’s February Term. Karmoh, through his legal counsel Cllr. Mamee S. Gongbah, argues that a joint trial would be prejudicial and undermine his right to a fair hearing.
The case, brought by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) on behalf of the Republic of Liberia, has drawn significant national attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused and the gravity of the charges involved.
Alongside Karmoh, several former senior officials have been indicted, including Samuel D. Tweah, Nyanti Tuan, Stanley S. Ford, and D. Moses P. Cooper. The group faces multiple charges ranging from economic sabotage to money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants were involved in acts including fraud on government revenue, misuse of public funds, theft of property, criminal facilitation, and conspiracy. The charges, if proven, could have far-reaching implications for Liberia’s ongoing fight against corruption.
In his motion, Karmoh contends that the defendants are not similarly situated and that the allegations against each individual differ significantly. He argues that combining all defendants in a single trial risks conflating the evidence and unfairly influencing the court’s judgment.
According to the defense, evidence presented against one defendant could inadvertently prejudice another, particularly in a case involving multiple actors and complex financial transactions. Karmoh’s legal team insists that a separate trial would better serve the interests of justice and ensure a fair evaluation of the evidence specific to him.
Liberian procedural law provides for the severance of trials in circumstances where a joint trial may compromise fairness or judicial efficiency. This legal provision forms the basis of Karmoh’s request, which now places the court in a position to determine whether such separation is warranted.
Following review of the motion, the court issued a writ seeking guidance from a Justice in Chambers at the Supreme Court of Liberia. A mandate has since been issued, setting the stage for a critical determination in the proceedings.
The trial is expected to resume on Thursday, March 19, 2026, when the court will read the Supreme Court’s mandate and decide the next course of action. Legal observers say the ruling could shape how the broader case unfolds, particularly in relation to the handling of multiple defendants.
