Liberia, April 6 -- The high-profile US$6.2 million corruption trial involving former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. and four other ex-officials took a dramatic turn Friday, as the prosecution's lead witness struggled to defend critical elements of the government's case under intense cross-examination.

Baba Mohammed Boika, Program Manager at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), conceded under questioning that investigators did not trace how the disputed funds-approximately L$1.055 billion (about US$5.4-5.5 million) and an additional US$500,000-were ultimately used.

The funds, allegedly transferred from government accounts between September 8 and 22, 2023 for "joint security operations" ahead of the elections, were neithe...