By Jamesetta D Williams
Widely circulated social media reports that Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay had ordered an investigation into alleged jury tampering in the high-profile US$6.2 million economic sabotage case involving former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and others have been denied.
Earlier reports circulating on social media and local news platforms alleged that the Chief Justice had instructed an independent investigation into claims that some Judiciary workers may have influenced jurors during proceedings at Criminal Court “C”.
According to the initial reports, staff members from the Judiciary Security Department and the Jury Management Office were being accused of allegedly interfering with jurors in the corruption trial.
However, the names of the individuals reportedly linked to the allegations were not disclosed.
The claims emerged shortly after the jury delivered mixed verdicts in the widely followed corruption case.
Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and former Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) Comptroller D. Moses Cooper were acquitted of all charges, while former Acting Justice Minister Nyenati Tuan and former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh were convicted in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision regarding former FIA Director General Stanley Ford, resulting in a hung jury in his case.
Following the verdict, public debate intensified across Liberia, with some citizens questioning the fairness and integrity of the trial process.
Judiciary spokesperson Caesar Slapeh initially declined to comment on the allegations, reportedly responding only with the words, “No comment,” when contacted by reporters.
However, new information gathered by Spoon News now indicates that the reports about an investigation ordered by the Chief Justice are inaccurate.
According to reliable sources familiar with the matter, Chief Justice Gbeisay has neither ordered nor authorized any investigation into alleged jury tampering connected to the case.
The clarification comes amid growing public speculation surrounding the controversial verdicts and concerns about the integrity of the judicial process in one of Liberia’s most closely watched corruption trials in recent years.
Despite the rumors, there has been no official statement from the Supreme Court confirming the existence of any formal inquiry into the conduct of jurors or Judiciary personnel linked to the proceeding
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