Monrovia, Liberia – Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has nullified the not guilty verdict in the corruption case involving former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah and his co-defendants, while ordering the arrest of all 15 jurors over allegations of jury tampering.
The latest ruling follows an earlier decision by Judge Feika to launch an investigation into claims of jury misconduct after the defendants were acquitted. The defendants challenged that decision before the Supreme Court, seeking to stop the inquiry through a writ of prohibition.
However, the Supreme Court declined to halt the investigation and returned jurisdiction to Criminal Court “C”, allowing Judge Feika to proceed with hearings into the allegations.
Following testimony from jurors and other witnesses, Judge Feika concluded that the integrity of the jury process had been compromised. He subsequently set aside the acquittal and ordered the arrest of all 15 jurors who served in the trial.
The ruling effectively reopens one of Liberia’s most closely watched corruption cases involving Tweah and several former senior government officials, who have denied charges including economic sabotage, theft of property, money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and criminal facilitation.
The decision is expected to trigger further legal proceedings, including possible appeals before the Supreme Court.
