MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Nagbe Koon, met with the families of four auditors who died under suspicious circumstances and the relatives of three boys who went missing following a tragic canoe incident in 2020. The meeting, held on Thursday, March 13, was an important moment for the families who have long been waiting for answers and justice.
Speaker Koon expressed his strong commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and their families, pledging that their concerns would remain a top priority for the government. He assured the families that he would work closely with relevant authorities to ensure accountability in both the deaths of the auditors and the disappearance of the three boys.
The case of the four auditors, Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua, Director General of the Internal Audit Agency, along with Liberia Revenue Authority auditors Albert Peters, Gifty Lamah, and George Fanbutu, has generated widespread public outcry. Their deaths, all under suspicious circumstances, have led to calls for an independent investigation to uncover the truth.
The three missing boys, Siafa Boimah, Robert Blamo Jr., and Bobby Gbeanquoi, were part of a group whose canoe capsized on October 17, 2020, while they were returning from a job with the Oriental Mining Company. Despite the passage of time, their disappearance continues to raise serious questions and concerns.
During the meeting, the families, including Sylvester Lamah (husband of the late Gifty Lamah), Cassandra Peters (daughter of the late Albert Peters), and Samukai Kromah (spokesperson for the missing boys’ relatives), expressed their gratitude for Speaker Koon’s outreach. They noted that he was the first senior government official to personally engage with them since the incidents occurred nearly five years ago.
The families reiterated their demand for justice and closure, emphasizing that they have been waiting far too long for answers. Speaker Koon assured them that he would continue to advocate on their behalf and ensure their concerns were communicated to the appropriate authorities.
This engagement comes on the heels of a recent directive from President Joseph Boakai, who instructed Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh to initiate an immediate investigation into the unresolved cases. President Boakai emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.
The tragic events that unfolded in October 2020 remain a source of anguish for the families involved. The death of Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua on October 10, 2020, and the mysterious deaths of Gifty Lamah and Albert Peters of the Liberia Revenue Authority in early October, have raised many questions. Additionally, the car accident that claimed the life of George Fanbutu on October 4, 2020, has also left the families of these victims seeking justice.
