Tweah, Lawyer Walk Out of US$20.5 Million Investigation Over Alleged “Disrespect”
Monrovia — Former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah and his lead defense lawyer, Cllr. Arthur Johnson, on Tuesday dramatically walked out of an ongoing investigation into the alleged disappearance of US$20.5 million, citing what they described as “disrespect” and unfair treatment by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT).
The incident occurred when Tweah appeared before the taskforce for questioning regarding the high-profile investigation. However, tensions quickly escalated after the former minister and his legal team reportedly refused to comply with entry procedures at the institution.
Speaking to reporters following the walkout, Cllr. Johnson accused the taskforce of attempting to humiliate and demoralize his client by allegedly leaving them seated in a hallway instead of promptly ushering them into the investigation room.
“They put us somewhere in a sitting room to diminish us,” Johnson stated. “When you are calling a party or a former official, you must give deference and respect to them. You cannot keep us waiting in the hallway. It is an attempt to demoralize the former minister. So, we are going back. If the chairman is ready, he will write us again.”
But the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce rejected the claims, insisting that the former minister and his entourage arrived late and refused to follow standard security and administrative procedures.
AREPT Public Relations Officer Joseph Daniels said Tweah had initially failed to appear on an earlier scheduled date but later informed the taskforce that he would attend the investigation at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday.
According to Daniels, Tweah and his team arrived approximately 20 minutes late and were asked to complete the institution’s normal sign-in process before entering the investigation area.
“This is a security institution,” Daniels explained. “All those who enter are required to sign in at the receptionist desk. While that process was ongoing, they decided to leave, claiming their time was being wasted. We expected them to follow the process, but they insisted on going straight to the investigation room.”
Daniels described the situation as unfortunate, emphasizing that the investigation was expected to proceed in a transparent and peaceful manner.
The investigation surrounding the alleged US$20.5 million remains one of the country’s most closely watched public accountability cases, attracting widespread national attention.
Further developments are expected as the matter unfolds.
