MONROVIA – The trial of high-profile economic sabotage defendants took a dramatic turn this week as a critical State witness revealed that the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) could not locate documents subpoenaed to support the prosecution’s case.
Edward J. Blamah, Chief of Staff to the Director General of the FIA, testified under oath that despite efforts to comply, no records responsive to the prosecution’s subpoena duces tecum were found. The documents were expected to play a central role in proving alleged financial misconduct.
The subpoena duces tecum is a legal instrument that compels the production of specific documents considered essential to establishing key elements of a case. Prosecutors sought records from the FIA to trace controversial transfers from a Government of Liberia account in 2023.
Blamah’s statement left the prosecution without crucial documentary evidence, forcing it to rely heavily on oral testimony and other materials, which may be less compelling in a complex financial trial.
The inability to produce the requested records raises serious questions about the FIA’s record-keeping practices, internal controls, and document management systems, particularly given the agency’s mandate to track and monitor financial crimes.
The development coincides with a court order granting prosecutors broad authority to subpoena additional records from both the FIA and the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL). The court’s directive includes original cheques, transaction records in Liberian and U.S. dollars, and internal communications tied to disputed transfers.
The subpoenas specifically target transactions executed between September 8 and October 17, 2023, connected to D. Moses Cooper, then Acting Comptroller of the FIA. Letters sent to then-CBL Governor J. Aloysius Tarlue Jr. are also being reviewed to clarify internal authorization processes.
Central to the investigation are transfers from the Government of Liberia account to the FIA, which prosecutors claim may not have followed proper financial controls. The court is examining whether former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweh Jr. directly approved or authorized the movement of funds.
Prosecution witness Baba Mohammed Boika, Program Manager at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), confirmed in court that he could identify some of the requested documents, potentially strengthening the prosecution’s position once the materials are produced.
In addition, the court is scrutinizing internal communications, including emails and formal letters sent during the period under investigation. These records are expected to shed light on the decision-making behind the transactions and reveal whether proper financial procedures were observed.
The inability of the FIA to provide documents initially requested under the subpoena underscores the importance of the court-ordered records. Their production is critical for tracing the flow of funds and identifying any irregularities or unauthorized withdrawals.
Defendants now face increasing exposure, as the records could highlight discrepancies in official accounts, undermine claims of lawful authorization, or substantiate allegations of financial mismanagement or abuse of office.
By granting all prosecution requests without limitation, the court has cleared the way for a deep forensic examination of the financial dealings central to the case. The requested materials will allow investigators to reconstruct the movement of funds and confirm whether proper oversight was observed.
As the FIA and CBL prepare to comply with the court order, the trial has entered a decisive stage. The evidence obtained could significantly influence the outcome and potentially shift the proceedings in favor of the prosecution.
The trial continues to highlight pressing issues related to transparency, accountability, and the management of public funds, with the production of these financial records proving crucial to determining whether public resources were properly handled.
