Speaker of the House of Representatives Richard Nagbe Koon on Thursday, March 13, met with the families of four auditors who died under suspicious circumstances and the relatives of three boys who went missing in October 2020.
During the meeting, Speaker Koon assured the families of the government’s commitment to ensuring justice is served. He emphasized that their concerns remain a priority and promised to engage the relevant authorities to pursue accountability in these unresolved cases.
The deaths 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, sparked widespread public demands for an independent investigation.
Similarly, the disappearance of Siafa Boimah, Robert Blamo Jr., and Bobby Gbeanquoi, who were part of a group of six whose canoe capsized in the St. Paul River on October 17, 2020, continues to raise concerns.
The families, represented by Sylvester Lamah, husband to the late Gifty Lamah, Cassandra Peters, daughter of the late Albert Peters, and Samukai Kromah, spokesperson for the missing boys’ relatives, described the meeting as unprecedented. They expressed appreciation for Speaker Koon’s outreach, noting that he is the first senior government official to meet with them since the incidents occurred five years ago.
The families reiterated their call for justice and emphasized the need for closure. Speaker Koon assured them that their concerns would be communicated to the appropriate authorities and pledged to remain engaged in their pursuit of accountability.
The meeting follows President Joseph Boakai’s recent directive on March 3, 2025, during the first Cabinet meeting of the year, instructing Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh to launch an immediate investigation into the unresolved cases. The President emphasized that the government is committed to transparency and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
The October 2020 deaths and disappearances have remained a source of public concern. On October 17, 2020, Robert Blamo Jr., Siafa Boimah, and Bobby Gbeanquoi were reported drowned in Fuama District, Lower Bong County, after their canoe allegedly capsized while returning from a job at the Oriental Mining Company.
Days earlier, on October 10, 2020, auditor Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua was found dead in the yard of his residence around 2 a.m. On October 3, 2020, Liberia Revenue Authority employees Gifty Lamah and Albert Peters were found dead in a vehicle under circumstances their families believe involved foul play.
Another LRA auditor, George Fanbutu, died in a car accident on October 4, 2020, while driving home from a business meeting. Police authorities reported that Fanbutu lost control of his vehicle, resulting in the fatal crash.
The families of the deceased and missing continue to demand answers. With Speaker Koon’s recent engagement and President Boakai’s directive, there is renewed hope for progress in these long-standing cases.
