An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel Tweh, Liberia’s former finance minister, in connection with a $500 million (£389m) corruption scandal. Tweh, along with four senior officials from former President George Weah’s administration, stands accused of embezzling government funds during their tenure.
The indictment charges the former officials with economic sabotage, illegal disbursement of public money, and conspiracy, among other crimes. Tweh, who was previously sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption, dismissed the allegations, calling them a “politically motivated witch-hunt.”
Liberia’s City Court in Monrovia issued arrest warrants after President Joseph Boakai’s administration vowed to clamp down on corruption. Three of the indicted individuals, including former national security adviser Jefferson Karmoh and state prosecutor Nyenati Tuan, have been detained after failing to meet bail requirements. However, the whereabouts of Tweh and Stanley Ford, the former head of the Financial Intelligence Agency, remain unknown.
This marks the second time Tweh has faced accusations of corruption. In December, the U.S. sanctioned him and two senators for allegedly abusing their positions through bribery. He denied the accusations then and maintains his innocence, recently stating on social media that he is the victim of a political vendetta.
President Boakai, who took office in January after defeating Weah in a runoff election, has vowed to crack down on corruption, ordering an audit of the presidential office and strengthening the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission.