MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Former Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel Tweah, told the Court and jury on Monday, April 21, that he has the authority to disburse money anywhere from the budget without documentation, especially when it centers around emergency issues.

Defendant Tweah, however, failed to state the intent of the alleged amount despite being indicted for unauthorized disbursement of funds to national security, as claimed in the indictment.

He bragged of six counts to dispel the falsehood as contained in the prosecution’s indictment, but later submitted a 2020 report where he allocated funds to the World Food Program, the National Elections Commission, and the UNFPA.

The report to the Court was rejected by State lawyers for admission into evidence because it was not related to the matter and was not the original copy.

Following the rejection, the Defense Team prayed for a subpoena against former Central Bank Governor, Aloysius Tarlue, and was granted by Judge Ousman Feika, ordering his copies and to testify.

Defendant Tweah maintained that, besides the President and Co-Chair of the Joint Security, he is the only authorized authority to disburse funds to national security, because he is a member.