By Wilmot Konah
MONROVIA, Liberia – Former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah will face a new trial after Criminal Court “C” nullified the jury’s not guilty verdict in his case, declaring the previous proceedings a mistrial following findings of serious jury misconduct.
The ruling comes after a court-ordered investigation found that jurors violated the rules governing their conduct while hearing the high-profile case. As a result, the acquittal handed down on May 8, 2026, has been set aside, and the matter will now be retried before a different jury.
According to assigned Judge Ousman Feika, the investigation established that jurors used mobile phones while under sequestration and communicated with individuals outside the jury quarters during the trial. Telephone records obtained from Orange Liberia and Lonestar MTN reportedly confirmed the communications, raising concerns that the jurors may have been exposed to outside influence.
The court also found that some members of the jury discussed the case before they were legally permitted to begin deliberations, violating their oath and compromising the impartiality expected in criminal proceedings.
Following the findings, all fifteen jurors who served in the case were arrested and remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison. The court further referred the matter to the Ministry of Justice for possible criminal prosecution.
Although investigators also examined allegations of an inappropriate relationship between a lawyer connected to the case and the jury forelady, the court dismissed those claims after finding insufficient evidence to support them.
However, the Defense has taken an exception to the ruling, with the former Finance Minister insisting that he is a freed man and will not subject himself to any retrial.
Despite rejecting some of the allegations, the court concluded that the proven misconduct was serious enough to undermine the integrity of the trial. Consequently, Tweah’s acquittal has been nullified, and a fresh trial has been ordered before a newly constituted jury.
The decision marks a significant development in Liberia’s judicial system and underscores the courts’ commitment to safeguarding the fairness, independence, and credibility of criminal trials.
