By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah has defended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s anti-corruption campaign following Friday’s mixed verdict in the high-profile US$6.2 million economic sabotage trial involving former officials of the George Weah administration.
In a brief but pointed response posted on her official Facebook page shortly after the court ruling on May 8, 2026, the Unity Party stalwart argued that the government still secured a significant victory despite the acquittal of former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah.
Kruah rejected claims from critics and opposition supporters who described the verdict as a major setback for the Boakai administration’s corruption fight, insisting that the convictions secured against some defendants proved that public funds were unlawfully handled.
“The government/prosecution alleged that U$6 million was stolen,” Kruah wrote. “The jurors confirmed this, agreeing that $6 million was indeed stolen, and they convicted three individuals that they believed are guilty of committing the crime. How is this not a win for the fight against corruption? Money was stolen. Culprits were convicted.”
Her comments came after a 15-member jury delivered a long-awaited verdict in one of Liberia’s most politically sensitive corruption-related trials in recent years.
The case centered on allegations involving economic sabotage, theft of public funds, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and money laundering connected to millions of dollars allegedly mishandled during the previous administration.
Former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, widely viewed as the central figure in the case, was acquitted on all charges. The jury found him not guilty of criminal conspiracy, economic sabotage, criminal facilitation, theft of public funds, and money laundering.
Tweah’s acquittal immediately generated strong reactions across the political spectrum, with supporters celebrating the ruling as proof that the prosecution failed to establish criminal wrongdoing against the former finance minister.
However, the jury also returned guilty verdicts against former Acting Justice Minister Nyenati Tuan, who was convicted of theft of public funds, criminal facilitation, and theft of property.
Former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh was similarly found guilty of criminal facilitation and criminal conspiracy, although he was acquitted of economic sabotage and theft-related allegations.
Meanwhile, former Financial Intelligence Agency Comptroller General D. Moses P. Cooper was fully acquitted after jurors cleared him of all charges brought against him in the case.
Following the ruling, Tweah’s legal team led by Cllr. Arthur Johnson praised the verdict, describing it as a triumph for justice, due process, and the rule of law.
Despite criticism surrounding the acquittal of some defendants, Kruah’s reaction reflects the ruling Unity Party’s broader position that the convictions secured in the case validate President Boakai’s commitment to accountability and anti-corruption enforcement.
