S/Court Denies Tweah Re-Argument

The Supreme Court of Liberia has denied the petition for re-argument filed by former Minister of Finance & Development Planning Samuel D. Tweah, alongside other former senior government officials, reaffirming its December 18, 2025, ruling that they do not enjoy presidential immunity under Article 61 of the Liberian Constitution.

The petitioners Samuel D. Tweah, Counsellor Nyenati Tuan (former Acting Minister of Justice), Stanley S. Ford (former Director of the Financial Intelligence Agency), D. Moses P. Cooper (former Comptroller of the Financial Intelligence Agency), and Jefferson Karmoh (former National Security Advisor) had requested that the Supreme Court revisit its prior judgment, citing a clerical error in the Court’s opinion concerning the statutory reference in the National Security Intelligence Reform Act.

The case traces back to allegations of misconduct and potential liability arising from their official duties in government.

Following proceedings at the First Judicial Circuit Criminal Assizes “C” in Montserrado County, the assigned circuit judge, Roosevelt Willie, presiding by special assignment, oversaw cases implicating the former officials.

The petitioners argued that they were entitled to the same immunity protections granted to the President under Article 61, contending that actions taken in the course of government service should shield them from prosecution or civil suits.

On December 18, 2025, the Supreme Court issued an opinion denying the petitioners immunity, holding that the constitutional protections afforded to the sitting President do not extend to former cabinet officials.

The Court cited the National Security Intelligence Reform Act and other applicable laws, affirming that the petitioners could face legal proceedings in the appropriate courts.

Following the December ruling, Tweah and others sought a re-argument before the full bench of the Supreme Court, citing an inadvertent mis-reference in the Court’s opinion specifically, the Court had cited Section 2(g) instead of Section 3(b) regarding the composition of the National Security Council under the Office of the President, in which the Minister of Finance is a member.

The Supreme Court acknowledged the clerical error but ruled that it did not affect the ultimate outcome of the original judgment.

“This Court recognizes the inadvertence in its prior opinion, but the substantive outcome remains unchanged,” the Court stated.

Accordingly, Tweah’s motion for re-argument was denied, and the lower court was directed to resume jurisdiction and proceed with the cases against the former officials.

Notably, Justices Jamesetta H. Wolokolie and Ceaineh D. Clinton-Johnson recused themselves from the hearing and determination of the case due to personal affiliations with some of the parties, and they did not sign the judgment.