NATIONAL NEWS
PAYNESVILLE – The legal team representing former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has walked out of an investigation conducted by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT), citing alleged disrespect and improper treatment during the session.
By: Gegee Birma
Lead defense lawyer Cllr. Arthur Johnson said the team felt the arrangement of seating and handling of their client was intended to undermine and intimidate the former minister.
According to him, instead of being received in a formal investigative setting, the delegation was placed in an open sitting room area, which he described as degrading given Tweah’s former high-ranking position.
Johnson argued that the treatment fell short of the respect expected in a formal investigative process, adding that the arrangement appeared designed to demoralize the former minister.
He said the defense team’s withdrawal was not permanent but a protest against what they considered unacceptable conditions. He added they would only return if the Taskforce corrected what they described as improper treatment.
“They put us somewhere in a sitting room to diminish us… When you are calling a former official for investigation, you must give reference and respect,” Johnson said.
“We are going back. If the chairman is ready, he will call us back, and if the same thing happens, we will walk out again.”
The walkout has raised questions about the conduct of the investigation and whether procedural adjustments will be made for the case to continue.
AREPT Responds, Says Procedures Were Fair and Standard
In response, AREPT confirmed that Tweah and his legal team appeared at its offices in Paynesville on Thursday morning following a rescheduled invitation.
The Taskforce said the investigation relates to allegations involving the alleged misapplication of US$20.5 million in rice subsidy funds, reportedly disbursed between September 2021 and October 2022 through the Ministries of Commerce and Finance.
AREPT said the funds were allegedly used to stabilize or influence rice prices on the Liberian market.
The former minister is being investigated on multiple allegations, including economic sabotage, theft of property, criminal conspiracy, misapplication of funds, and criminal facilitation.
The Taskforce explained that the defense team raised concerns about procedural arrangements shortly after arrival and subsequently left the premises.
In a statement, AREPT Public Relations Officer Joseph F. Daniels said the institution maintains uniform procedures for all individuals invited for questioning, regardless of status.
“These procedures are intended to ensure order, professionalism, fairness, and due process,” he said.
AREPT also noted that Tweah’s appearance had already been rescheduled once at the request of his legal team, which it said was granted in a spirit of cooperation.
The Taskforce reaffirmed that its process is not intended to be confrontational and said it will issue a fresh invitation for the former minister to continue the investigation.
It added that it remains committed to due process and the rule of law in handling the matter.
