-As Court Issues “NE EXEAT REPUBLICA” On him and Others
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
Bearly Two weeks after turning himself in, Criminal Court C’ Judge A. Blamo Dixon has issued a writ of “NE EXEAT REPUBLICA” ordering the arrest of Dependents Samuel D Tweh, Former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, Former Acting Minister of Justice
Stanley S Ford, Former Director of the Financial Intelligence Agency D Moses P Cooper, Former Comptroller of the Financial Intelligence Agency, And Jefferson Karmoh, Former National Security Advisor, if they are attempting to leave the country without the approval of the court.
The former officials of former President George Weah’s administration were charged with the crimes of Economic Sabotage, Misuse of Public Money, property or Record, Theft and/or illegal Disbursement and Expenditure of Public Money, Theft of Property, Criminal Facilitation, and Criminal Conspiracy.
“YOU ARE FURTHER COMMANDED TO ARREST THE LIVING BODIES OF THE DEFENDANTS IN THE ABOVE CAPTIONED CASE (SAMUEL D. TWEAM, CLLR, NYANTI TUAN, STANLEY S. FORD, D. MOSES P. COOPER AND JEFFERSON ARSAOH), OF THE CITY OF MONROVIA, MONTSERRADO COUNTY, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA. AND FORTH, BRING THEM BEFORE THIS COURT UPON THEIR ARREST AND SUBSEQUENTLY TAKE THEIR PASSPORTS AND TURN SAME OVER TO THE SHERIFF OF CRIMINAL COURT C, CAPT TINA G. MORNING, FOR MONTSERRADO COUNTY, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, IF THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE THE BAILIWICK OF THE COUNTRY.”
It can be recalled that on Wednesday, September 25, at 9 A.M., Former Minister of Finance Samuel D. Tweah turned himself into authorities and had his bond accepted by Criminal Court “C” after a month of being indicted.
The former Finance Minister’s bond in the case was set at US$8 million. He then used his property to post his bond. Meanwhile, the court is expected to open an argument in the 8m dollar criminal bond filed by the former minister of finance on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. The argument is expected to establish the validity of the eight million criminal bonds filed. It can be recalled that while filing to the court on Wednesday, September 25, lawyers on both sides of the case argued the bond, but Judge Blamo Dixon granted it.
Cllr. Richard Scott, Montserrado County Attorney, who is prosecuting the case, asked a judge that they were not in a position to speak about the bond because it has neither been submitted to the court nor served on them. Despite Scott’s contention of the bond, Judge Dixon said the bond is to the tune of US$8 million. “The court is obliged to approve the said bond and have the said co-defendant released from prisoner Bench and further detention,” Dixon said to the disagreements of the prosecution. Dixon explained that the court refused to have the defendant detained at the Monrovia Central Prison because he had filed a bond in the presence of his lawyers. And he was out of the bailiwick of the Republic of Liberia and had just arrived in the country with his bond in the hands of his lawyers.
Strangely, Dixon was heard openly advising Tweah that he is also entitled to remain silent and that any word spoken out of his mouth could be used against him in the Court of law. “Defendant is also entitled to a lawyer or lawyers of his own choice, and he is entitled to continuance, Motion for change of venue, if he so desires, and he is also entitled to a Motion to Recuse the Judge if he also so desire,” Dixon said to Tweah. He continues, “The Defense is entitled to all rights provided for under the Law of Liberia and such other rights that will be explained to him by his team of Lawyers.”
Approving the bond and setting the trial date, Dixon said, “The bond of the defendant is hereby approved, and the defendant is to appear in court on November 12, 2024, upon the opening of court for the November Term of Court, A.D. 2024.” He stressed: “The sheriff is hereby ordered to remove the Defendant from the Prisoner Bench.
