Former SG Tuan and Former SA Kanmoh Arrested in Major Economic Crime Investigation
Liberia’s Former Solicitor General, Cllr. Nyenati Tuan and former National Security Advisor, Jefferson Karmoh, have been arrested by order of the Monrovia City Court as part of a major investigation into allegations of economic sabotage, theft, and the illegal disbursement of public funds. This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on high-ranking officials, including former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Tweah.
The charges, filed by the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), allege a sophisticated scheme to defraud the government. Presiding over the case, His Honor L. Ben Barco, Magistrate of the Monrovia City Court, denied a motion by Cllr. Tuan’s lawyers for personal recognizance for Tuan and D. Moses P. Cooper, former Comptroller of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA). Despite no objection from the prosecution, the Magistrate urged the lawyers to file a proper criminal appearance bond.
Sources have told Kukatonon News that the other key defendant, Stanley S. Ford, former Director of the FIA, has been tapped to plead guilty and serve as state witness.
The allegations detail a conspiracy beginning in July 2023, where the defendants are accused of colluding to defraud the Government of Liberia. In September 2023, the defendants allegedly orchestrated unauthorized and illegal transfers from the Central Bank of Liberia under the guise of performing their official duties. The funds, totaling L$1,055,145,040.00 and US$500,000.00, were allegedly stolen and converted for personal use.
According to the writ, these funds were withdrawn shortly after the transfers without any documentation of their intended use or disbursement. This act, described as unlawful, wicked, and intentional, violates the New Penal Law of Liberia. The charges include economic sabotage under Section 15.80 (a)(b)(c), misuse of public money or property, theft, illegal disbursement, expenditure of public money, theft of property, criminal facilitation, and criminal conspiracy.
Captain Charles Bloyuefloh of the Magistrate Police has been ordered to arrest the defendants and bring them to the Monrovia City Court to answer these charges. The Ministry of Justice and LACC argue that this conspiracy severely undermines the economic stability and integrity of the Liberian government.
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