MONROVIA – Following alleged jurors tampering in US$6.2M corruption case, criminal court “C” has opened investigation with the summoning of all jurors and other relevant court personnel, information quoting the court says.
The launch of investigation by Criminal Court “C” into alleged jury tampering in the US$6.2 million corruption case against former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and others has heightened the fallout which followed the acquittal.
The decision to summon jurors and relevant personnel comes after three jurors filed a formal complaint of misconduct during deliberations.
An affidavit filed by the concerned jurors did not speak of money being used to apparently persuade them, but of misconduct on the parts of other colleagues, the report gathered said.
Judge Ousman Feika on Monday summoned all jurors and court security personnel to appear for a hearing on May 20, 2026, while proceedings on a pending motion for a new trial have been suspended until the investigation is concluded.
The three jurors claim that some colleagues used mobile phones in restricted areas of the courthouse and engaged in unauthorized communication with associates of the defendants during deliberations.
They allege the contact may have influenced the jury’s decision, which resulted in Tweah’s acquittal on the main corruption charges earlier this month. The jurors’ complaint asks the court to determine whether the verdict was compromised.
Phone use is strictly prohibited in jury deliberation rooms under Liberian court rules to prevent outside influence and preserve the integrity of the process.
Judge Feika ordered that all 15 jurors who sat on the case, along with assigned court security staff, appear before the court on May 20.
The hearing is expected to examine the timeline of deliberations, access to the jury room, and whether any rules were breached.
“Until the court establishes the facts, no further action will be taken on the motion for a new trial,” a court clerk confirmed. The motion was filed by state prosecutors following the acquittal.
Tweah, along with former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh, ex-Solicitor General Cyrennius Cephus, and ex-Financial Intelligence Agency Director Stanley Ford, was acquitted on charges of economic sabotage, theft of property, and criminal conspiracy in connection with the alleged misapplication of US$6.2 million from the Central Bank of Liberia.
The verdict drew mixed reactions. Supporters of the defendants hailed it as a vindication, while civil society groups and some government officials expressed concern over the handling of high-profile corruption cases.
The new jury tampering allegations have reignited debate over the credibility of the outcome and raised questions about courtroom procedures in sensitive trials.
If the court finds evidence of tampering, it could set aside the verdict and order a retrial. A finding of no misconduct would allow proceedings on the motion for a new trial to resume.
Legal analysts say the case will test Liberia’s ability to safeguard jury integrity in politically charged prosecutions.
The outcome could also influence public confidence in the judiciary’s handling of corruption cases under President Joseph Boakai’s administration.
For now, Criminal Court “C” says its priority is to establish the facts before determining next steps.
On today, Tweah is expected to appear before the Asset Recovery and Property Retrival Taskforce (AREPT) to respond to inquiries arising from $20 Million Dollars rice subsidy scheme during the former George Weah administration in which Tweah served as Finance Minister.
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