By Our Reporter | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – The First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “C” for Montserrado County, sitting in its May Term A.D. 2026, has formally assigned a high-profile case involving several former senior government officials for hearing in connection with allegations of jury tampering and misconduct arising from ongoing corruption-related proceedings.
According to a notice of assignment issued under the authority of Assigned Circuit Judge Ousman F. Feika, the Republic of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, is prosecuting the matter against former officials of the previous administration, including former Minister of Finance Samuel D. Tweh, former Acting Minister of Justice Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, former Financial Intelligence Director General Stanley S. Ford, former Financial Intelligence Comptroller D. Moses P. Cooper, and former National Security Advisor to ex-President George Weah, Jefferson Karmoh.
The defendants are facing multiple charges, including economic sabotage, fraud involving the internal revenue of Liberia, misuse of public funds and records, theft of property, illegal disbursement and expenditure of public money, money laundering, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy.
However, the current assignment before the court is not for the substantive corruption charges, but rather for the commencement of an investigation into allegations of jury tampering and misconduct reportedly brought to the court’s attention by three jurors.
The notice directs all parties, including their legal representatives, to appear before Criminal Assizes “C” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., for the formal commencement of proceedings into the allegations.
Court records indicate that the assignment is intended to examine claims of interference in the jury process, a development that raises fresh concerns over the integrity of ongoing high-stakes corruption trials involving former government officials.
The court emphasized that the matter must proceed with full participation of all parties and legal counsel, instructing the assigned sheriff to serve notice to all defendants and ensure proper documentation of service for the court’s records.
The order further mandates strict compliance with procedural requirements, underscoring the judiciary’s intent to address any alleged interference in the administration of justice.
The case, which already carries significant public interest due to the prominence of the accused and the gravity of the underlying corruption allegations, now takes on an additional dimension as the court investigates whether attempts were made to influence or compromise jurors.
The Ministry of Justice is expected to lead the prosecution, with support from other state institutions, including anti-corruption and financial intelligence bodies, as the court begins its preliminary inquiry into the jury-related allegations.
