By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – Former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah appeared before the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of approximately US$20.5 million allocated for rice subsidy program between 2021 and 2022.
The highly anticipated appearance, however, ended abruptly after Tweah and his legal team reportedly departed the Task Force headquarters shortly after arriving, triggering public controversy and prompting AREPT to later issue a statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the former minister’s departure.
Investigators are probing allegations involving theft of property, economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and the alleged misapplication of public funds connected to payments reportedly made by the Government of Liberia through the Ministries of Commerce and Finance to reduce the market price of rice.
The investigation centers on a rice subsidy initiative implemented between September 2021 and October 2022, during a period when the government announced interventions aimed at easing pressure on ordinary Liberians facing rising food prices.
AREPT is reportedly seeking to establish whether the US$20.5 million subsidy achieved its intended purpose or whether the funds were improperly diverted despite little noticeable reduction in rice prices across the country.
In a statement signed by Joseph F. Daniels, Public Relations Officer of AREPT, the Task Force confirmed that Tweah’s appearance followed an earlier communication from his lawyers requesting that his initial invitation be rescheduled. According to the statement, AREPT accommodated the request in keeping with due process and institutional cooperation before assigning a new appearance date.
However, shortly after arriving at the Task Force headquarters, counsel representing Tweah informed investigators that they were leaving the premises over concerns relating to procedural arrangements upon their arrival.
Speaking to journalists outside the AREPT headquarters, Tweah’s legal counsel, Cllr. Arthur Johnson, sharply criticized the treatment of his client and accused the Task Force of failing to handle the matter professionally and respectfully.
“We represent the Honourable Samuel Tweah. We came for the investigation. This is the most publicized investigation ever,” Cllr. Johnson stated.
According to him, AREPT Chairman Edwin Kla Martin was fully aware of their scheduled appearance but allegedly failed to properly receive them upon arrival.
“The chairman knows very well that he sent for us,” Johnson said. “And while on our way we reached here, they told us to go somewhere in there to be meeting us. They told us to go to the station room, or waiting room.”
The lawyer argued that the treatment given to the former finance minister was inappropriate and appeared intended to embarrass or demoralize him publicly.
“In orderly and professional investigations, when you call in a party, whether former or future officials, you must give deference and respect to them,” Johnson asserted. “You don’t act as though you are not prepared for us if you were the one who invited us.”
He further alleged that keeping Tweah and his legal team waiting in what he described as a hallway or waiting area reflected a lack of professionalism on the part of investigators.
“So we are going back. If the chairman is ready this time, he should write and inform us properly,” Johnson declared, suggesting that his client remains willing to cooperate once satisfactory arrangements are made.
Despite the controversy, AREPT defended its handling of the matter, stressing that its procedures and administrative protocols apply equally to all persons invited before the institution, irrespective of their former or current status in government.
“AREPT wishes to clarify that the institution maintains established procedures and administrative protocols that apply equally to all individuals invited to appear before the Taskforce, irrespective of status or position,” the statement emphasized.
The Task Force further maintained that its invitation process is not intended to be confrontational, but rather forms part of lawful investigative procedures designed to give individuals the opportunity to respond to allegations under review.
AREPT also disclosed that another invitation would be issued to Tweah in order to continue the investigation in accordance with Executive Order #161 and the laws of Liberia.
Meanwhile, former Minister Tweah has distanced himself from allegations of wrongdoing linked to the rice subsidy program, reportedly maintaining that the funds in question were received and utilized by rice importers under arrangements approved by the government at the time.
