MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force has invited former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. to appear before investigators as part of an ongoing probe into allegations surrounding a US$20.5 million government rice subsidy program implemented between 2021 and 2022.
In a letter dated May 13, 2026, the task force said the investigation focuses on allegations of theft of property, economic sabotage, misapplication of public funds, criminal conspiracy, and criminal facilitation linked to the subsidy initiative, which was introduced to reduce the price of a 25-kilogram bag of rice for Liberian consumers.
The task force alleged that records in its possession suggest that government payments made under the subsidy program were diverted for personal use and failed to achieve the intended reduction in rice prices during the period under review.
Investigators further alleged that Tweah, in his former role as finance minister, acted alongside others to approve and process payments connected to the subsidy program that were allegedly diverted.
The investigation is being conducted under Executive Order No. 161, which established the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Task Force with a mandate to identify, investigate, and recover stolen or suspicious public assets.
Tweah has been requested to appear with legal counsel at the task force headquarters at the Golden Key Compound in Paynesville on Tuesday, May 19, at 11:00 a.m.
Responding publicly via his Facebook page, Tweah acknowledged receiving the letter and confirmed that he would comply with the invitation.
“I acknowledge receipt of your letter just transmitted 15 minutes ago and will formally respond,” Tweah wrote.
The former minister dismissed the investigation as politically motivated, describing it as a “bogus investigation” into what he characterized as the lawful execution of his duties as finance minister.
Tweah maintained that the rice subsidy payments were legally authorized.
“The subsidies in question were lawfully paid after approval from the President of the Republic, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, and the National Legislature, in consultation with the IMF,” he stated.
He further announced plans to appear before investigators with his legal counsel and later address the public.
“I will appear in person at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, along with my lawyer to answer any queries you may have concerning my responsibilities as minister in this matter,” Tweah stated, adding that he would later address the nation at CIEO regarding what he described as “yet another failed and doomed attempt at politically witch-hunting and targeting me.”
The case marks one of the latest high-profile investigations involving officials of the former administration, as the current government continues efforts to scrutinize the management of public resources under previous leadership.
