By Saff Writer | Smart Neewa Liberia
MONROVIA – A state witness in the ongoing economic sabotage trial at Criminal Court ‘C’ on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, revealed what prosecutors describe as alarming financial irregularities involving more than L$1.05 billion and US$500,000 allegedly earmarked for Joint Security operations during Liberia’s 2023 elections.
Testifying in court, Baba Mohammed Boika, Program Manager at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), detailed how the investigation was triggered by media reports surrounding a controversial US$500,000 transaction linked to the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA). According to Boika, the LACC subsequently invited former FIA Director Stanley Forh to provide clarification.
Boika told the court that during a meeting with LACC commissioners, Forh admitted that the widely reported US$500,000 figure was inaccurate, disclosing instead that the amount involved exceeded that sum. He explained that the funds were intended for Joint Security operations rather than for the FIA’s direct use, but declined to provide details on how the money was ultimately spent or who benefited, citing national security concerns.
The witness further testified that a letter dated September 5, 2023, from then Acting Justice Minister Cllr. Nyanti Twan instructed the FIA to receive and disburse funds on behalf of Joint Security. Based on this directive, Boika said, the Ministry of Finance transferred the funds into the FIA’s operational account, after which the money was withdrawn and allegedly handed over to security actors. However, no documentation or beneficiary records were provided to substantiate these claims.
In another key revelation, Boika disclosed that former FIA Comptroller Sam D. Cooper admitted to withdrawing the funds through cheques issued in his name, acting on instructions from Forh. Cooper initially claimed he delivered the cash directly to unidentified security personnel at the bank, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.
The investigation has also cast a spotlight on the role of the Ministry of Finance. Boika testified that the transactions were authorized by former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweh, who has reportedly remained unreachable and failed to respond to LACC inquiries. According to the witness, three separate transfer instructions issued between September 8 and September 21, 2023 facilitated the movement of funds from key government accounts, including the Health and Social Sector Account, into the FIA.
Boika further told the court that former Comptroller General Janga A. Kowo and Deputy Minister Samora P.Z. Wolokollie confirmed acting on the Finance Minister’s instructions. Both officials reportedly stated that they did not question the purpose of the transactions, citing routine administrative compliance with ministerial directives.
Officials from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), including former Governor Aloysius J. Tarlue and Deputy Governor Numalay Pearson, also provided testimony. They maintained that the Bank’s role was limited to executing authorized transactions after verifying signatures and ensuring the availability of funds.
According to their statements, the CBL does not oversee how government funds are utilized after disbursement, emphasizing that all such accounts fall under the control of the Ministry of Finance.
The testimony paints a troubling picture of how vast sums of public funds were transferred and withdrawn under opaque circumstances, with little to no documentation regarding their final use. As the trial continues, the court is expected to examine whether these transactions constituted economic sabotage and whether those involved can be held accountable under Liberia’s anti-corruption laws.
The case remains one of the most closely watched legal proceedings in recent times, as it raises serious questions about financial governance, accountability, and the management of security-related expenditures during a critical electoral period.
