Acquitted former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, Jr., has “set the record straight” on the $21 million rice subsidy saga, describing allegations against him as false. Tweah dismissed allegations that he authorized a US$21 million rice subsidy transfer to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, noting the claims are false and politically motivated.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Monday, May 11, 2026, a statement directed at Stanton Witherspoon, the host of the nighttime talk show Spoon Talk, Tweah said unnamed government sources were lying about the alleged subsidy and attempting to link him to a fresh investigation.
“My dear brother Stanton Witherspoon, the Government folks are lying to you again that there is a $21 million subsidy given to the Ministry of Commerce (MOCI) for which they may invite me for questioning,” Tweah wrote.
The former minister maintained that no such transaction ever took place during his tenure at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. “At no time as minister of finance did I transfer US$21 million to MOCI for rice subsidy. No such records exist at MFDP, so your sources are diabolically delusional,” he stated.
Tweah further argued that all rice subsidy transfers made to the Ministry of Commerce in 2021 and 2022 were lawful and received the approval of the Liberian government, the National Legislature, and the International Monetary Fund.
According to him, “All rice subsidy transfers made to MOCI in 2021 and 2022 were duly approved by the President of the Republic, the National Legislature and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) adding, “So I welcome any bogus investigation.”
The former finance minister also defended the role of the Finance Ministry, noting that while the institution manages public finances, it does not bear direct responsibility for how spending entities use legally transferred funds.
Tweah additionally cautioned media practitioners against publishing unverified information and accused unnamed officials of attempting to divert public attention from what he described as his recent acquittal.
“These sources are only aiming to distract from the news of my acquittal. So, we understand the tactic,” he added. He concluded by saying he remains open to any investigation concerning actions taken during his tenure, insisting that all decisions he made as finance minister were lawful.
