On October 2, 2024, the Liberia National Police (LNP) officially invited former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah and several other former officials for questioning in connection with the 2020 death of Emmanuel Barthan Nyeswa, the late Head of the Internal Auditing Agency. This development comes amid ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption involving Tweah and others. Mr. Tweah, recently embroiled in legal issues and having posted an $8 million criminal bond for separate charges, attended the questioning in the company of legal representatives. The investigation into Nyeswa’s death centers around the circumstances of his fall from the balcony of his Paynesville residence, which occurred shortly after he returned from a social outing.
Nyeswa was found dead on October 10, 2020, with police initially asserting that he had accidentally fallen from his balcony late at night. This official narrative has been met with skepticism and has prompted the LNP’s Cold Case Unit to pursue a deeper investigation by inviting various key individuals for questioning. In addition to Tweah, persons of interest included former ministers and other associates of the previous administration, such as the former Health Minister and the current senator for Rivercess County, Bill Tweahway. The ongoing inquiry aims to clarify the events leading up to Nyeswa’s death and assess the involvement of those present during the incident.
Following the invitation for questioning, the LNP emphasized its commitment to uncovering the truth behind Nyeswa’s untimely death. Inspector General Gregory Coleman indicated that numerous interviews had already been conducted with people who had connections to Nyeswa or were present at the JKF Memorial Hospital shortly after the incident. The police’s approach reflects growing public interest in ensuring accountability and transparent handling of the case, particularly given the myriad of allegations of misconduct involved with officials from the former Weah administration.
In conjunction with the interrogation of Tweah and the others, the Criminal Court C at the Temple of Justice issued a writ of Ne-Exeat Republica against several former Cabinet members, including Tweah. This legal order is designed to prevent the individuals from leaving Liberia without court authorization, as there are concerns that they might attempt to flee the country in light of the ongoing investigations. The writ stipulates that arrests should be made if individuals attempt to leave, unless they can provide legal clearance for their departure.
Tweah has been granted conditional release after posting a significant bond, but he is expected to return to court for further proceedings related to the corruption charges against him. The upcoming hearing is scheduled for November 12, 2024. The case against him and his former colleagues symbolizes larger systemic issues in Liberia regarding governance and accountability, particularly in the wake of allegations of widespread corruption that emerged during and after President George Weah’s tenure.
As the LNP continues its investigation and the judiciary processes unfold, the implications of Nyeswa’s death and the surrounding circumstances remain critical for both the individuals involved and Liberia’s governance framework. The outcome of these inquiries may lead to more stringent measures against corrupt practices within the government, while also addressing public concerns about the integrity of former officials. The unfolding legal battles are a crucial chapter in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to foster accountability and uphold the rule of law in a historically tumultuous political landscape.
