“I Want the 16 Billion Case Investigated”-President Boakai Orders Justice Minister Oswald Tweh

Executive Mansion, Liberia: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called on Justice Minister Oswald Tweh to revisit the controversial 16 billion Liberian dollar case, demanding further investigation into the financial scandal that emerged during former President George Weah’s administration.

President Boakai made this call during his first  Cabinet meeting in 2025 at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia. The case dates back to the regime of former President George Weah, where a financial controversy unfolded involving the alleged mismanagement of 16 billion Liberian dollars (approximately US$100 million) related to the importation and handling of newly printed banknotes.

Citizens Protesting for the missing 16 Billion in Liberia 

In 2017, under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s outgoing administration, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) ordered the printing of new banknotes to replace old currency and stabilize the economy. However, when President Weah took office in January 2018, a significant portion of these new banknotes was found to be unaccounted for, sparking public outrage.

The scandal led to widespread protests, with thousands of Liberians demanding accountability and transparency. It severely damaged public trust in the government’s financial management.

In response, the Weah administration formed the Assets Investigation, Restitution, and Recovery Team (AIRReT) to probe financial irregularities, including the missing banknotes, as part of a broader initiative to combat corruption.

Now, President Boakai has mandated Minister Tweh to revisit the case, along with other matters currently pending before the Supreme Court, in an effort to ensure justice and restore public confidence in the country’s legal system.