MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Legal arguments between lawyers representing former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and the Government of Liberia have been entertained at the Supreme Court of Liberia, with the Full Bench in attendance.

 As the case was called, Associate Justice Ceinah Clinton Johnson and Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie recused themselves for separate reasons.

Justice Wolokollie said,” I am related to one of the defendants”, while Justice Clinton said,” I was the Presiding Justice in Chambers and heard the matter”.

Presenting their case, one of the defense lawyers, Cllr. Arthur Johnson argued that the judge committed reversible error, judicially and prosecuted attempts to classify documents in violation of the law.

Cllr. Johnson said,” My clients and others acted under the scope and instruction of former President George Weah and the National Council, due to national threats, and as such, they are immune from prosecution under Article 61 of the 1980 Constitution, and cannot be subjected to criminal prosecution as they are performing a mandate”.

The Defense Lawyers said, “The amount expended by national security was for national security protection, and to keep the country safe and protected from security threats in 2023”.

Meanwhile, Prosecution Lawyers, headed by Montserrado County Attorney, Cllr. Richard Scott argued that the case of Samuel Tweah and others is similar to Brownie Samukai’s case, where the Supreme Court ruled that subordinates of various government agencies should refuse illegal orders from their bosses, even if it causes them to resign.

The Prosecution further maintained that the alleged money was not used for National Security matters, but went through the accounts of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), where it was disbursed among the accused.

The Prosecution Lawyers told the Supreme Court that the case has nothing to do with a National Security issue, and prayed the Court to deny and dismiss the defendants’ petition.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has reserved ruling in the matter.